Quick Coach's Cues — Facilitate Better Problem-Solving Sessions

• Start with the measurable problem — refuse vague problem statements until someone can show the data.
• Ask for evidence: "What data or observation supports that claim?" — insist on specifics.
• Manage scope: keep the investigation to what you can test in 1–4 weeks.
• Balance speed and rigor: prefer small experiments with clear metrics over long debates.
• Prevent blame: redirect from "who" to "how the system allowed this to happen."
• Lock verification before implementation: ask "How will we know the countermeasure worked?" before approving.
• Assign clear ownership for the test and for monitoring the metric during the follow-up period.
• Capture a short lessons-learned summary and an action to update standard work if verified.