Action Forum engages key stakeholders in solving a problem quickly:

• Gains consensus on the problem and its root causes before hearing solution ideas;
• Aligns the team behind a course of action and commits to a timeline;
• Gets results quickly, but may not completely solve complex problems (see other methods!)

Action Forum fits best when:

• Problem, waste, or opportunity exists
• Root cause(s) are unknown/unsure
• Low-risk solutions may be available
• All stakeholders can get together to decide on solutions

Action Forum Steps:

• Focus: understand the problem, process, & customer; assemble the stakeholders
• Investigate: agree upon the root cause(s) of the problem
• Improve: find low-risk solutions to the problem
• Control: monitor the process to ensure the problem stays fixed

Design Workout fits best when:

• Process does not exist
• Customer needs are internal or well-known
• Low-risk designs may be available
• All stakeholders can get together to decide on solutions
   *Great for integrations or organizational redesigns!

Design Workout Steps:

• Define: understand the problem, vision/goal, & customer
• Measure: identify and quantify customer requirements
• Analyze: thoroughly describe the design requirements
• Design: create a “fully capable” process or product
• Verify: ensure that the process will remain capable in the future