Is / Is-Not
The boundary of the problem
- PhaseFrame
- Group4 to 15 people
- Time30 minutes
- SettingRoom or remote
- ExecutivesYes
What it is
Is / Is-Not draws the boundary around a problem. The group lists what the problem is and is not across what, where, when, who, how much, and which data and decisions are involved. The differences point to the cause and to what is out of scope.
When to use it
When scope is fuzzy, or when people are describing different problems under the same name.
When to skip it
When the scope is already agreed in writing.
How to run it
- 5 minState the problem in one line.
- 15 minFill in the table row by row. For each Is, ask what is similar but is not affected.
- 10 minLook for the differences between Is and Is-Not. They point to cause and to scope.
About 30 minutes of method time. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
What to watch for
Filling only the Is column. The Is-Not column is where the boundary appears.
The AI lens
Add rows for data, decision and risk: which data does it cover, which decisions does it involve, and what is outside the risk boundary?
What you leave with
A clear boundary of the problem, with what is explicitly out of scope.
An example
A model's errors appear on scanned forms but not on typed ones. The Is / Is-Not table shows the boundary, and the team realises the problem is the input quality, not the model.
How it compares
Is / Is-Not defines the edges of a problem. An Issue Tree breaks a problem into parts. Use Is / Is-Not first when people keep describing the problem differently.
Related methods
Questions
What is Is / Is-Not?
Is / Is-Not draws the boundary around a problem. The group lists what the problem is and is not across what, where, when, who, how much, and which data and decisions are involved. The differences point to the cause and to what is out of scope.
When should I use Is / Is-Not?
When scope is fuzzy, or when people are describing different problems under the same name.
How long does Is / Is-Not take and how many people do I need?
Is / Is-Not takes about 30 minutes and suits 4 to 15 people, plus a facilitator. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.
How is Is / Is-Not different from other methods?
Is / Is-Not defines the edges of a problem. An Issue Tree breaks a problem into parts. Use Is / Is-Not first when people keep describing the problem differently.
Can I run Is / Is-Not remotely or with executives?
Yes. Is / Is-Not works in the room or remotely. Remotely, put the canvas on a shared board in advance and write silently in the board, not in chat. Executives: Yes, works with executives present.