25 Thinking Techniques
Twenty-Five Thinking/Evaluation approaches utilized for information processing, decision-making, and problem solving. These are not in any order of importance or priority – use will be determined by the attendant circumstances.- Self-Questioning. Inferential thinking. “If this, then…”
- Identify potential/possible Implications & Ramifications in advance of any action
- Determine the Parameters of the Context
- RTP!!! Get & understand all relevant information. Determine exactly what is being asked
- Properly Classify – Categorize – Correlate all constituent elements
- Watch use of Comparison & Contrast
- Careful Cross-Referencing. Avoid cross-categorization
- The ‘Court Room Scenario’ for case building. Think through thoroughly in advance
- The ‘Combat Scenario’ for all activity. Guard up! Worst case result(s)?
- Correct Cost-Value Determination. Bardahl Top Oil Argument
- Use of A-B Paradigm. Avoid the “there is no B” position
Am I defaulting to or in violation of:
- Historical Argument!
- Occam’s Razor!
- Successive Accumulation! Principle of: “Once is happenstance, twice is circumstance, three times is enemy action!”
- Ask Pertinent (Bona Fide!) Questions. No “Where was the man when he jumped off the bridge?”
- Do I Have a Process-Product, Means-End Problem?
- Correct use of Strategy & Tactics
- Have I examined Chain/Linkage (in series) ? A Priori. A Posteriori. A Fortiori
- Is it Could – Would – Should in the context?
Organizational:
- Look for & contribute to the ‘Crescendo Effect’ – why is it absent?
- Exercise Role Modeling
- Emphasize Consistency in thinking and action
- Maintain & foster a Group Centered Emphasis – how can all benefit the most?
General:
- The Nine Principles of War modality. Do this right, takes care of all the others!!!
- Peter’s Troop Leading Steps from Acts 11
In the case of more complex issues, all of these techniques may be necessary in varying degrees to address the situation. The degree to which these are employed in a sound & timely fashion as a direct and constant part of your thinking, to that degree a large measure of your success may be determined.