All of the following frameworks and activities can be used in the workforce to increase the quality of objectives, projects, and solutions.
Fermi Estimation - Using basic assumptions and a few key facts to obtain an estimate of a desired quantity. For example, this approach can be used to estimate the amount piano tuners in Chicago given the population of Chicago.
5-Whys Root Cause Analysis - A method for ascertaining a root cause of specific problems by answering "why" to targeted questions about a given problem.
Fishbone Diagram - An organizational chart that takes a problem and works to list possible factors that led to the problem. This is done in a format that resembles a fish skeleton (See above)
Gantt Chart - An organizational visual that charts a timeline for a project (See above)
635 Brainstorming - An activity that involves a group (Classically 6) where each member writes down 3 ideas, then passes their ideas to another member of the group. Then over 5 minutes, participants will write comments, questions, and improvements on the other person's ideas and repeat this process until each member has seen each paper.
SMART Goals - A framework for creating achievable targets by making the goal Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This facilitates a realistic objective in any project.
Pecha Kucha - Japanese for "chit chat". This is a method for giving presentations that involves slides with only images as the speaker takes 20 seconds to talk on what the picture has to do with the topic at hand.
Design Thinking Framework - A framework for problem solving that is comprised of 5 steps done in a multitude of different orders depending on the problem at hand. The Define step involves stating the problem of concern. The Empathy step is done to identify problems that are specific to the people that are involved and to make sure that the solution is one that is desired, accessible, and appropriate. The Ideate step is for thinking about solutions to the problem at hand. The Prototype step is used to create some kind of model that represents the possible solution(s). Finally, the Test step involves testing a scaled up version of the prototype to see if the solution is effective.