Encyclopedia of Leadership

HOW TO USE THIS LEADERSHIP TOOL

“Potential Problem Analysis is not a negative search for trouble. It is a positive search for ways to avoid and

lessen trouble that is likely to come in the future. ... Merely being able to remember a thousand horror stories is

of no use unless that body of information can be used to prevent more.”

—Charles Kepner and Benjamin Tregoe, THE NEW RATIONAL MANAGER

This process is best used in a group setting when the project plan is nearly complete from a

professional or technical perspective; use it with the project group as a whole, in order to get

commitment to the results. Another typical use is in project review by a leader.

Use the worksheet provided to organize Potential Problem Analysis into a very brief form.

WEB WORKSHEET

POTENTIAL PROBLEM ANALYSIS WORKSHEET

Copyright McGraw-Hill 2000. Original purchasers of this book are permitted to photocopy or customize this worksheet by downloading it from
http://www.books.mcgraw-hill.com/training/download.The document can then be opened, edited, and printed using Microsoft Word or other word processing
software.

SECTION 7 TOOLS FORPROBLEMSOLVING, DECISIONMAKING, ANDQUALITY 221

Key Plan Potential Risk Likely Preventive Contingent

Steps Problems P and S Causes Probability Actions Actions

Success Statement for the Plan: