The Outcome Frame Model and
Outcome Directed Thinking1
Dr. Mark W. Huber
MIST 5780
MIS Dept. – Spring 2009
Terry College of Business
1Based
on the work of Dr. Robert P. Bostrom and Dr. Vikki Clawson,
Terry College of Business, University of Georgia.
Today’s Class
Importance of Outcomes
(Goals) and Solving Problems
Mental Frames
The Outcome Frame Model
Outcome-Focused ChallengeSolving – What????
Questions/Comments
Outcomes, Problem Solving,
and Recognizing Opportunities
• If you don’t know where you are
going, you’ll probably end up
somewhere else!
-- David Campbell
• When it is obvious that the goals
cannot be reached, don't adjust the
goals, adjust the action steps.
-- Confucius
Mental Frames
Ways we view the world around us
that influence how we understand
our world
Examples:
– Umbrella
– Questioning, in class, what a teacher
says
– Starting a global retail business
Frames can help or hinder us
Frames and Problems - 1
Connect all nine
dots
Use only four
lines to connect
all the dots
You may not
retrace (go
back over) any
lines
Frames and Problems - 2
Poke your head through a hole?
Dr. Huber will show you the rules for
this problem…
– Remember, how you frame the problem
will influence your ability to solve the
problem
Frames and Problems – 3
Pick the right tool
You need to fasten two boards together with a nail
so you use …
You need to change a light bulb, so you use …
Your hands, of course!
Frames and Problems - 4
Just as a hammer won’t solve all of a
master worker’s problems, global
business leaders and managers need
a problem solving …
… toolbox!
The Outcome Frame Model
Another Tool for Your Problem Solving and
Analytical Skills Toolbox
Outcome Frame Model
Ethical models
Scientific Method
Proper Debugging Methods
Brainstorming
Accounting Rules
Financial Ratios
And many more tools and techniques …
Class Activity – Frames and Questions
(Dr. Robert P. Bostrom and Dr. Vikki Clawson, UGA)
Key Questions
Frames – How we think about …
–Problem Directed (problem frame)
–Outcome Directed (outcome frame)
YOUR Thoughts
First Set of Questions
1. Why do I have this problem?
2. What caused this problem?
3. Who is to blame?
4. What stands in the way of a solution?
5. How likely is it that I'll solve this problem?
Second Set of Questions
1. What do I want instead of this problem? (Your answer
will be your desired outcome.)
2. How will I know when I have achieved this outcome?
(What will I see, hear, and/or feel to know that I've done it?)
3. What will I gain by achieving this outcome? What will I
lose? Is it worthwhile?
4. What resources do I need to achieve this outcome? How
will I get them?
5. What is the first step I can take to achieve this outcome?
YOUR thoughts
Outcome Model: Foundation
(based on the work of Dr. Robert P. Bostrom, UGA MIST Dept.)
Resources
Gap = Opportunity,
Challenge, Desired State
Present State
Problem, etc.
Action Steps
Outcome Map Exercise
(© Bostrom & Associates , adapted and used by permission)
Use Resources and
Action Steps to
achieve outcomes
and move beyond
obstacles
Higher Level Outcome
What does having my desired
outcome do for me??
Desired Outcome
What Do I
Want Instead?
What Do I
Want Instead?
Present State
(Adapted from Bostrom & Associates ©, used by permission)
Obstacle
What Stops Me?
From Outcome Space to Outcome Map
(slide concept and design © 2003, Mark Huber, adapted and used by permission of Bostrom & Associates)
OUTCOME
Present
State
Challenge
Present
State
Challenge
Present
State
Challenge
Present
State
Challenge
Present
State
Challenge
Present
State
Higher-Level
Outcomes
Action Steps
Resources
Action Steps
Desired
State
OUTCOME
Desired
State
Desired
State
OUTCOME
OUTCOME
Higher-Level
Outcomes Desired
State
OUTCOME
Action Steps
Resources
Challenge
Resources
Desired
State
Desired
State
Action Steps
OUTCOME
Resources
OUTCOME
Present
State
Present
State
Action Steps Resources
Higher-Level
Outcomes
Challenge
Challenge
Action Steps
Resources
Present
State
Desired
State
Higher-Level
Outcomes
Action Steps
Challenge
Present
State
Resources
Desired
State
OUTCOME
Action Steps
Resources
Present
State
Challenge
Resources
OUTCOME
Desired
State
Action Steps
Desired
State
Resources
Challenge
OUTCOME
Action Steps
Resources
State
Action Steps
Higher-Level
OUTCOME
Outcomes
Desired
From Outcome Space to Outcome Map
Who or What We Are: Our Vision or
Our Highly Valued Criteria or Our Touchstone Values
Higher-Level
Outcomes
Higher-Level
Outcomes
Higher-Level
Outcomes
Higher-Level
Outcomes
What does having a Desired Outcome do for me?
OUTCOME
(Desired State)
OUTCOME
(Desired State)
OUTCOME
(Desired State)
OUTCOME
(Desired State)
OUTCOME
(Desired State)
OUTCOME
(Desired State)
What stops us/me?
What do we/I want instead?
PRESENT STATE
(slide concept and design © 2003, Mark Huber, adapted and used by permission of Bostrom & Associates)
Creating Outcomes
Flipping
– Want instead?
– Want?
– As if we have it
Well-Formed?
– Positive?
– Under our/my control?
– Evidence?
Worthwhile?
– Gains/losses
– Resources?
– Representative (of higher level outcomes)?
Where to Tap – Right Size – Movement – Unstuck!
– Having that do for me? – Higher/Larger Outcome – Upward
– Stops Me? Want Instead? – Smaller Outcome – Obstacle –
Downward
(Adapted from Bostrom & Associates ©, used by permission)