Structured Thinking, SOW, Problem Domain

Question 1

Interesting quote from Einstein in regards to problem solving

Answer 1

If I were given one hour to save the planet, I would spend 59 minutes defining the problem and one minute resolving it.

It is EXTREMELY important to define problems before trying to solve them.

Question 2

1.

Structured Thinking definition

Answer 2

What is breaking the data analysis process into smaller, manageable parts called?

Question 3

What is structured thinking?

Answer 3

The process of :
1. Recognizing the current problem or situation (the problem domain)
2. Organizing available information
3. Revealing gaps and opportunities
4. Identifying the options.

Question 4

What is the problem domain?

Answer 4

• The starting place for structured thinking
• The specific area of analysis that encompasses every activity affecting or affected by the problem. You must understand all parts and relationships to discover the whole story.

Question 5

What does structured thinking allow you to create?

Answer 5

1. A clear list of what you are expected to deliver
2. A timeline for major tasks and activities
3. Checkpoints so the team knows you’re making progress

Question 6

How does structured thinking help you?

Answer 6

It allows you to understand problems at a high level so that you can identify areas that need deeper investigation and understanding.

Question 7

What is an SOW?

Answer 7

Scope of Work
An agreed upon outline of the work you’re going to perform on a project.

Question 8

What does an SOW typically contain?

Answer 8

High Level (Found in most SOW’s)
- Deliverables
- Timeline
- Milestones
- Report
- Scope

Other Potential Categories
- Work details
- Schedules
- Data preparation
- Validation
- Analysis of quantitative and qualitative datasets
- Initial results
- Some visuals if desired

Question 9

Deliverables questions

Answer 9

• What work is being done?
• What things are being created as a result of this project?
• When the project is complete, what are you expected to deliver to the stakeholders? Be specific here.
• Will you collect data for this project? How much, or for how long?

Question 10

Specific Deliverables Example

Answer 10

• Avoid vague statements. For example, “fixing traffic problems” doesn’t specify the scope. This could mean anything from filling in a few potholes to building a new overpass.
• Be specific! Use numbers and aim for hard, measurable goals and objectives.
• For example: “Identify top 10 issues with traffic patterns within the city limits, and identify the top 3 solutions that are most cost-effective for reducing traffic congestion.”

Question 11

Milestone Questions

Answer 11

• This is closely related to your timeline.
• What are the major milestones for progress in your project?
• How do you know when a given part of the project is considered complete?

Question 12

Who identifies Milestones?

Answer 12

Milestones can be identified by you, by stakeholders, or by other team members such as the Project Manager.

Question 13

Milestone Examples

Answer 13

• Smaller example might include incremental steps in a larger project like “Collect and process 50% of required data (100 survey responses)”,
• Larger example ”complete initial data analysis report” or “deliver completed dashboard visualizations and analysis reports to stakeholders”.

Question 14

Timeline Definition

Answer 14

• Your timeline will be closely tied to the milestones you create for your project.
• The timeline is a way of mapping expectations for how long each step of the process should take.
• The timeline should be specific enough to help all involved decide if a project is on schedule.

Question 15

Timeline Questions

Answer 15

• When will the deliverables be completed?
• How long do you expect the project will take to complete?
• If all goes as planned, how long do you expect each component of the project will take?
• When can we expect to reach each milestone?

Question 16

Report project progress

Answer 16

• Good SOWs set boundaries for how and when you’ll give status updates to stakeholders.
• How will you communicate progress with stakeholders and sponsors, and how often?
• Will progress be reported weekly? Monthly? When milestones are completed?
• What information will status reports contain?

Question 17

What is the scope of the project?

Answer 17

• Everything that you are expected to complete or accomplish
• Defined to a level of detail that doesn’t leave any ambiguity or confusion about whether a given task or item is part of the project or not.

Question 18

Project changes

Answer 18

If something changes in the project, the SOW should reflect those changes.

Question 20

Wedding invitation SOW example

Answer 20

Deliverables:
The wedding planner and couple will need to decide on the invitation, make a list of people to invite, collect their addresses, print the invitations, address the envelopes, stamp them, and mail them out.

Timeline
Note the dates that keep you on track

Milestones
Note the milestones that keep you on track