{"id":705,"date":"2019-11-04T23:53:19","date_gmt":"2019-11-04T23:53:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alminawi.com\/?p=705"},"modified":"2025-08-16T13:58:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-16T13:58:41","slug":"tts-series-b-logical-and-analytical-techniques-episode-05-kepner-tregoe-problem-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/?p=705","title":{"rendered":"T&Ts Series B, Logical and Analytical Techniques, Episode 05: Kepner-Tregoe Problem Analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\ud83d\udd0d Introduction to the Tool<\/h3>\n

Kepner-Tregoe Problem Analysis (KTPA)<\/strong> is a systematic method for identifying the true cause of a problem<\/strong> by comparing what is happening with what should<\/em> be happening. It helps teams avoid assumptions and jump-to-solution thinking by asking structured, objective questions. KTPA is especially effective in project management and internal audit<\/strong>, where decisions need to be supported by logical evidence and clear thinking.<\/p>\n

The technique separates the problem from symptoms<\/em>, sharpens focus, and supports sound root cause analysis.<\/p>\n

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\ud83e\uddf0 Template for Applying the Technique<\/h3>\n

Use the following steps to apply Kepner-Tregoe Problem Analysis:<\/p>\n

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    Step 1 \u2013 Define the Problem<\/strong>: Describe what<\/em> is wrong, where<\/em>, when<\/em>, and the extent<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Step 2 \u2013 Describe the Problem Clearly<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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      What is happening?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      What should<\/em> be happening?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Where and when is it happening?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Where and when is it not happening?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n

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      Step 3 \u2013 Identify Possible Causes<\/strong>: Use distinctions (differences) and changes (what changed before the issue appeared).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Step 4 \u2013 Test the Most Probable Cause<\/strong>: Look for evidence, test assumptions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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      Step 5 \u2013 Verify and Take Action<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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      \ud83c\udfe2 Example: ACME Corp \u2013 Internal Audit of IT Downtime<\/h3>\n

      At ACME Corp, Internal Auditor Auren<\/strong> was asked to support an audit after frequent IT system downtimes<\/strong> disrupted project workflows. He collaborated with Project Manager Aven<\/strong>, and IT Lead Jesse<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      Using KTPA:<\/p>\n

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        What is wrong?<\/strong> Frequent network crashes in Project Wing C.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        What should be happening?<\/strong> Stable 24\/7 connectivity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Where\/when is it not happening?<\/strong> Only in Wing C, between 1\u20133 PM.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        What changed?<\/strong> HVAC system was reprogrammed two weeks earlier.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        They discovered that new HVAC settings caused brief power fluctuations, affecting the network hub in Wing C. Auren\u2019s audit report included actionable recommendations: install a power stabilizer and update the change control log process.<\/p>\n

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        Conclusion<\/strong>:
        Kepner-Tregoe Problem Analysis gave ACME\u2019s audit team a clear, fact-based path<\/strong> to identify the root cause and prevent recurrence\u2014proving its power in project audits and cross-functional issue resolution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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        <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        \ud83d\udd0d Introduction to the Tool Kepner-Tregoe Problem Analysis (KTPA) is a systematic method for identifying the true cause of a problem by comparing what is happening with what should be happening. It helps teams avoid assumptions and jump-to-solution thinking by asking structured, objective questions. KTPA is especially effective in project management and internal audit, where […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1047,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-internal-audit","category-project-management"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/56-e1750017253651.avif","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=705"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/705\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1261,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/705\/revisions\/1261"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e.americanpro.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}