Table of Contents

Brief contents/Overview of tools. Application areas of each tool.

1. Introduction to the concept and applications of this book.

1.1 Structure of this book.

1.2 How to use this book.

1.3 The target audience of this book.

1.4 The scope of this book.

1.5 Skills and competencies for your personal development.

1.6 Clarification of methodologies, models, tools and techniques.

2. Problem solving approach and application.

2.1 Problem solving.

2.2 Categories of tools.

2.3 How to select the right tool.

3. Diagnosis.

3.1 Definition of a situation/problem.

3.2 Information gathering.

3.3 Creativity.

3.4 Information consolidation.

4. Goals and objectives setting.

4.1 Goal-setting criteria.

4.2 Objectives tree.

4.3 Goal hierarchy.

4.4 Charter.

4.5 Goal catalogue.

4.6 SMART goals.

4.7 Goal Grid.

4.8 Well-defined outcomes.

4.9 3 P statements.

4.10 SNAP.

5. Analysis.

5.1 Organisational analysis.

5.2 Technical analysis (system, process, data, technology).

5.3 Strategic analysis.

6. Decision making (incl. evaluation, prioritization).

6.1 Introduction to decision making.

6.2 Decision tree.

6.3 Perspective.

6.4 Argument balance.

6.5 Polarities tool.

6.6 Swap sorting tool.

6.7 Pair ranking.

6.8 Nominal group tool.

6.9 100 Points.

6.10 Utility analysis.

6.11 Cartesian coordinates.

6.12 Cross of beliefs.

6.13 Vroom Yetton.

6.14 Risk analysis.

6.15 Prioritisation matrices.

7. Project management tools.

7.1 Project management ? activities, processes and tools.

7.2 Project contract.

7.3 LogFrame.

7.4 Project roadmap/programme.

7.5 Work breakdown structure.

7.6 Gantt chart.

7.7 Project work plan.

7.8 Project environment analysis.

7.9 Project structure.

7.10 Project management roles and responsibilities.

7.11 Project communication plan.

7.12 Accountability matrix (CIDA).

7.13 Stakeholder communication.

7.14 Workshop guideline.

7.15 Expectation review tool.

7.16 Booz ball evaluation.

7.17 Six thinking hats.

7.18 Action steps and reviews.

7.19 Project management skills radar.

8. Annex A ? Check Questions.

8.1 Check questions for a project start.

8.2 Check questions to review ideas and qualitative information.

8.3 Check questions to define the current situation ? diagnostic.

8.4 Check questions to define goals and objectives.

8.5 Check questions during and analysis.

8.6 Check questions during decision making.

8.7 Check questions for the project initiation phase.

9. Annex B ? Scenarios and tool lists.

9.1 Author?s top 10 tools.

9.2 Scenario: Good practice for project and problem definition.

9.3 Project planning and definition.

9.4 Strategic analysis.

9.5 Org analysis and org design.

9.6 Organisational restructuring.

9.7 Feasibility study.

9.8 System development.

9.9 Strategy workshop.

9.10 Business process improvements.

Bibliography.

Application areas of each tool (in alphabetic order).

About the Author

NICOLAI ANDLER is management/IT consultant, business analyst and business coach.He lives in Cape Town, South Africa, and works for enterprises inSouth Africa and Central Europe. After working for BSG (Business Systems Group) and GeminiConsulting Nicolai Andler started working as a freelance managementand IT consultant, business analyst and business coach in 2003. Helives in Cape Town, South Africa, and works with companies in SouthAfrica and Central Europe. www.nicolaiandler.com

Reviews

Prof. Dr. Tom Sommerlatte: "This book is the kind you always wanted to have and didn't think would and could ever exist: the universal field theory of problem solving."

Prof. Dr. Tom Sommerlatte: "This book is the kind you always wanted to have and didn't think would and could ever exist: the universal field theory of problem solving."