How the CIA solves problems – Part 1
CIA agents likely confront complex problems on a frequent basis. Finding an effective solution can have significant ramifications on our national security.
The CIA recognized that properly understanding problems was critical to finding the right solution. The organization developed its Phoenix Checklist to help agents apply a thorough, consistent process when confronting a complex problem.
The checklist doesn’t define the problem. It helps users examine the problem’s different parts; determine where to start given available information and resources; and avoid wasting resources on parts of the problem that cannot be solved.
The following are the first 16 questions in the Phoenix Checklist:
- Why is it necessary to solve the problem?
- What benefits will you receive by solving the problem?
- What is the unknown?
- What is it you don’t yet understand?
- What is the information you have?
- What isn’t the problem?
- Is the information sufficient? Or is it insufficient? Or redundant? Or contradictory?
- Should you draw a diagram of the problem? A figure?
- Where are the boundaries of the problem?
- Can you separate the various parts of the problem? Can you write them down? What are the relationships of the parts of the problem?
- What are the constants (things that can’t be changed) of the problem?
- Have you seen the problem before?
- Have you seen this problem in a slightly different form?
- Do you know a related problem?
- Can you think of a familiar problem having the same or a similar unknown?
- Suppose you find a problem related to yours that has already been solved. Can you use it? Can you use its method?
Creativity expert Michael Michalko recommends using the Phoenix Checklist as a starting point of a personal checklist for solving problems specific to your business or role in your company.
The next Atkinson Advisor will discuss using the Phoenix Checklist to create a plan of action.
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