Prioritized Purpose Planner

Clarifying all the reasons for solving a problem can lead to better solutions.

Adapted from the Purposes Principle and purposes hierarchy of Breakthrough Thinking (Gerald Nadler and Shozo Hibino, 1990), whose verb-led purpose statements descend from Value Analysis (Lawrence D. Miles, General Electric, 1947).

What it is for

The Prioritized Purpose Planner is a thinking tool designed for structured problem-solving, especially in a workshop or collaborative setting. Its main purpose is to guide participants through a systematic process of identifying, prioritizing, and addressing the various reasons or purposes behind a problem. This thinking tool is designed to aid in the structured resolution of problems, particularly in a collaborative workshop environment. Its application is multifaceted:

1. Clarify the Problem. It helps participants clearly define and articulate the main problem they are facing, ensuring that everyone has a common understanding of the issue at hand.
2. Identify and Prioritize Reasons. By listing and prioritizing all the reasons or purposes for solving a problem, the tool encourages participants to consider a wider range of factors and motivators. This approach helps in identifying the most critical aspects that need addressing.
3. Develop Comprehensive Solutions. Understanding the full spectrum of reasons behind a problem allows for the development of more comprehensive and effective solutions. It ensures that proposed solutions are not just addressing superficial symptoms but are tackling the root causes.
4. Foster Collaboration and Engagement. The tool promotes collaborative thinking and discussion. By encouraging participants to contribute their perspectives and ideas, it fosters a sense of ownership and engagement in the problem-solving process.
5. Create Actionable Goals. The tool guides participants in formulating a clear, overarching goal based on identified purposes, as well as subsequent sub-goals or intermediate objectives. This step is crucial for turning abstract ideas into actionable plans.
6. Visual and Interactive Exploration. Features like the Vision Mapping Canvas and the Deep Dive Discussion Zone offer interactive and visual methods to explore the problem and solutions, enhancing creativity and engagement.
7. Facilitate Structured Problem-Solving. The structured approach of the tool, with its clearly defined sections and purposes, helps in methodically breaking down complex problems into manageable parts.

The goal is to find more effective, comprehensive solutions by understanding the full spectrum of purposes driving the need for a solution.

Each section of the tool serves a specific purpose, from defining the problem and identifying needs to formulating actionable goals. This structured approach not only aids in tackling the problem more effectively but also ensures that all participants are aligned and working toward a common objective. The tool is particularly useful in settings where a clear and organized approach to problem-solving is needed, such as in business strategy sessions, team workshops, or collaborative project planning. In summary, the Prioritized Purpose Planner is a valuable asset in any problem-solving scenario, particularly in settings that require a thorough, collaborative approach to identifying and addressing issues. Its focus on understanding the underlying reasons for a problem and developing aligned goals makes it a powerful tool for effective decision-making and strategy development.

Why use it

Clarifying all the reasons for solving a problem can lead to better solutions. Knowing the purposes makes the situation clearer and helps think of broader, more comprehensive ideas or solutions. Usually, we find what we're looking for. If we only look for a solution to one specific purpose, that's all we'll find. But if we consider multiple purposes, we're more likely to find solutions that address several objectives at once. Also, understanding all the reasons behind a problem increases the chances of tackling the actual issue. It's important to remember: People usually work harder and are more motivated by understanding the purposes behind a task, rather than just following rules or instructions.

How to use it

1. Listing Reasons/Purposes. Participants use the tool to list all the reasons for solving the situation, starting each purpose with "To" followed by an action verb. This step helps to clearly articulate all the drivers behind the need for a solution.
2. Prioritize Needs. Once all the reasons or purposes are listed, they are organized and prioritized according to their importance and relevance to the problem at hand. This prioritization helps to focus efforts on the most critical aspects of the problem.
3. Top Purpose Expansion. The most important purpose is selected for further exploration using the Purposes Hierarchy Template. This step helps in identifying more detailed and specific purposes related to the main one, offering a deeper understanding of the problem.
4. Goal Statement Development. Based on the listed purposes, a goal statement is developed. This statement encapsulates the main objectives identified and serves as a guiding beacon for the problem-solving process.
5. Sub-Goal Formation. To support the main goal, 3 to 5 sub-goals or intermediate goals are created. These sub-goals are specific and actionable, ensuring that the primary goal is attainable and that progress can be measured.

The worksheet opens with the Problem Statement: to define the main problem to be addressed, concisely state the main problem being addressed in the workshop. Then comes the Rationale: list each reason or purpose for solving the situation, using the "To" + "Action Verb" format, assign a priority from 1 to 10 to each purpose, and discuss and agree on the prioritization among participants. The Rationale Impact Scale quantifies the significance of each reason, with a sliding scale or voting system where participants assign a weight or impact score to each purpose, visually representing the priority.

Running it with a group

• Vision Mapping Canvas. To visually explore and define the overarching goals and reasons for solving the problem. Use a collaborative mind map to illustrate all reasons for addressing the problem. Each participant adds their ideas, creating a visual network of purposes.
• Deep Dive Discussion Zone. To expand upon the top prioritized purpose in a more detailed and nuanced manner. Facilitate a roundtable discussion or brainstorming session focusing on the top purpose. Utilize guided questioning techniques to explore underlying layers.
• Goal Crafting Workshop. To collaboratively draft and refine the goal statement. Utilize a workshop format where participants draft, refine, and collectively decide on the goal statement. Include role-playing or scenario analysis for real-world applicability.
• Sub-Goal Strategy Lab. To develop sub-goals using creative techniques. Break into smaller groups to develop sub-goals using creative problem-solving techniques like reverse engineering or six thinking hats. Present back to the larger group for feedback and integration.

Where it fits

The process recommends it at Finding the Reasons to Resolve, the first step of the Objective phase, whose questions expand each purpose upward to a larger one before this tool scores them. Its sibling, Collective Objective Builder, takes the reasons on to one shared goal: this tool scores and expands the purposes, that one aligns each person's reasons with the group's and agrees the goal statement.

Related tools

• Function Analysis (Miles and Mann)
• Hoshin Kanri (Akao)
• Ideal Final Result (Altshuller and Mann)
• OKRs (Grove)