[Course] Recommendation for Factorization Thinking - Part 1: What is Factorization Thinking? – A Basic Framework for Problem Solving

Recommendation for Factorization Thinking
Part 1: What is Factorization Thinking?

🟢 Chapter 1 Introduction – What is "Problem Solving Ability"?

📌 What you will learn in this part

• Understand the basic concepts of factorization thinking

• Learn the importance of decomposition in problem solving

• Consider specific ways to apply it

🟢 Chapter 2 Pre-test (Checking learning readiness)

📌 1. Prerequisite test (Checking basic knowledge)

👉 Try answering the following questions.

1. What is factorization? (in a mathematical sense)

2. Do you know the MECE principle? (Yes / No)

3. Have you ever tried to solve a problem by breaking it down before?

🔹 Evaluation criteria:

• Can answer 1 or more questions → Ready to understand the concepts

• All "I don't know" → Recommended to learn from the basics in this course

📌 2. Pre-test (Understanding learning objectives)

👉 Before starting this course, please think about the following questions.

1. When you think "I want to increase sales," how can you break it down?

2. List 3 benefits of breaking problems down into elements.

3. What is the MECE principle?

🔹 Target Behavior:

• Acquire the ability to appropriately break down problems and organize factors

🔹 Evaluation Criteria:

• Does the answer contain specific elements?

🔹 Passing Standard:

• Answer 2 or more out of 3 questions correctly → You are ready to learn

• If 1 or fewer questions are answered correctly → Proceed while thoroughly understanding the course content

🟢 Chapter 3: What is Factorization Thinking?

🔹 1. Definition and Basic Concept

What is "Factorization Thinking"?
→ A thinking method to break down complex problems into simple elements, identify essential causes, and derive solutions

🔹 2. Why is "breaking down" important?

✔ Makes it easier to identify the cause of a problem
✔ Makes it easier to think of solutions
✔ Enables decision-making using data and logic

📌 Example: "I want to increase sales"
➡ "Sales = Average Transaction Value × Number of Customers"
➡ Breaking it down further: "Average Transaction Value = Average Purchase Amount × Purchase Frequency"

By breaking things down into elements like this, the problem becomes clear, and it becomes easier to think of specific actions.

🟢 Chapter 4: Basic Rules of Factorization Thinking: What is MECE?

🔹 1. What is MECE?

MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive) = "No omissions, no overlaps"

✔ Mutually Exclusive (do not overlap with each other) → Divide so that each element does not overlap
✔ Collectively Exhaustive (cover the whole) → Cover all elements

📌 Example: What if we break down the "cause of sales decline" using MECE?

• External factors: Market contraction, increased competition, economic downturn

• Internal factors: Lack of marketing, decline in sales capability, decline in product strength

🟢 Chapter 5 Practical Workshop – Let's break down your issues!

🔹 1. Workshop Task

👉 "Let's break down a problem close to you using MECE!"

📌 Example 1: "Commuting every morning is stressful"

• External factors: Public transport delays, crowds

• Internal factors: Slow morning preparation, poor route selection

📌 Example 2: "I am busy with work"

• Is the workload too high? → Organize tasks and set priorities

• Is efficiency poor? → Review work processes and tools

📌 Example 3: "My health checkup results were bad"

• External factors: Busy with work and cannot find time for exercise, limited food options

• Internal factors: No exercise habits, poor dietary balance, lack of sleep

📌 Example 4: "Studying is not progressing"

• External factors: Learning environment is not set up (noise, desk environment)

• Internal factors: Cannot maintain concentration, study plan is not appropriate, learning method does not fit

📌 How about your issues?

🟢 Chapter 6 Summary (with post-test)

📌1. Confirmation of learning outcomes

Regarding the content of Part 1, let's check your level of understanding based on the following criteria!

🔹 Target Behavior:

• Acquire the ability to correctly decompose problems and derive solutions

🔹 Evaluation Criteria:

• Are you able to apply the MECE principle?

• Are you able to decompose problems using concrete elements?

🔹 Passing Standard:

• 4 or more correct answers out of 6 → Learning outcomes achieved

• 3 or fewer correct answers → Review the course points again

📌 2. Post-test

1. When you are conscious of MECE, how can you decompose problems?

2. Please explain how to decompose "team performance" into elements.

3. Based on the formula "Results = Effort × Efficiency," please think about what kind of improvements can be made.

4. When you factorize the issue of "project progress is delayed," what elements can it be divided into?

   • Example: "Task clarity," "Resource allocation," "Team collaboration," etc.

5. Please try to break down the "reasons why improving lifestyle habits is not going well" using the MECE principle.

   • Let's try thinking by dividing them into internal and external factors.

6. What do you think is the "greatest benefit gained from using factorization thinking"?

   • Please consider this based on your own real-life experiences and the insights you gained from this course.

Answer examples are provided at the end!

🟢 Afterword

Through this course, I hope that all readers will be able to apply "factorization thinking" to their daily lives and work, enabling more effective problem solving. Learning is something built one step at a time. It is okay if you are not perfect. First, let's try to build the habit of breaking down and thinking about small problems!

This course is structured based on the concepts of Instructional Design (ID), with a focus on learning objectives, evaluation criteria, and the promotion of step-by-step understanding. It was also created utilizing ChatGPT and is part of an experimental attempt to explore the possibilities of generative AI. I would like to explore together ways to deepen human thinking while utilizing the insights provided by AI.

🟢 Next Preview: Part 2 "Techniques for 'Breaking Down' Problems – 3 Useful Frameworks"

👉 Be sure to practice today's workshop and prepare for the next session!

🟢 Post-test Answer Examples

📌 Post-test (Confirmation of Learning Outcomes) Answer Examples

1. When you are conscious of MECE, how can you break down problems?
   → Divide problems into elements "without omissions and without overlaps." Example: Break down into simple elements like "Sales = Unit Price × Number of Customers."

2. Please explain how to break down "team performance" into elements.
   → Divide into multiplicative elements such as "Skills × Motivation × Environment."

3. Based on the formula "Results = Effort × Efficiency," please think about what kind of improvements can be made.
   → Improve the method of effort (increase study time, enhance concentration), increase efficiency (utilize appropriate tools, perform time management).

4. When you factorize the issue of "project progress is delayed," what elements can it be divided into?
   → "Clarity of tasks," "securing resources," "team coordination," "progress management," "influence of external factors," etc.

5. Please try to break down "reasons why improving lifestyle habits does not go well" using the MECE principle.

   • External factors: Work busyness, influence of living environment, stress

   • Internal factors: Lack of exercise, irregular eating habits, lack of sleep

6. What do you think is the "greatest benefit gained by using factorization thinking"?
   → The essence of the problem becomes easier to see, and it becomes easier to develop appropriate solutions.