MECE Framework

Overview

The MECE (mutually exclusive collectively exhaustive) process is a process used by many management consultants when tackling solutions to a given problem. The framework is designed to produce a set of possible solutions that are mutually exclusive (that is there is no overlap between solutions) and yet the dont leave any stone unturned (that is collectively exhaustive, they cover the entire solution space).

The framework is designed to give a comprekhensive list of possible solutions, while pairing the list down to a small enough list so as not to cause decision paraylsis.

Storyboarding Solutions

The storyboard app can be used while brainstorming out possible solutions to a problem. First define the problem at hand, as broadly as possible. Next, begin listing out high possible solutions to the problem by adding them to the board.

If two solutions, contain an overlap, try to replace them by a set of mutually exclusive solutions. Next, begin to prioritize the solutions by moving them around the board.

If a solution requires further elaboration, for instance, a set of sub solutions, expand the solution and add the necessary information as children tiles to the solution tile. In addition, you can add hypotheses that are required for true in order for the suggested solution to work as subtiles. Under each hypothesis, include the tests used to test that hypothesis.