[Course] Recommendations for Factorization-Style Thinking - Part 2: Problem 'Decomposition (Numerical/Component, Process, Root Cause)' Techniques – 3 Useful Frameworks (Logic Tree, 3C/4P, ECRS (Waste Elimination))

Recommendations for Factorization-Style Thinking
Part 2: Problem 'Decomposition (Numerical/Component, Process, Root Cause)' Techniques – 3 Useful Frameworks (Logic Tree, 3C/4P, ECRS (Waste Elimination))

📌 What you will learn in this part

• By properly decomposing problems, you will be able to clearly derive solutions.

• Understand the three decomposition methods—numerical, process, and root cause—and acquire the ability to utilize them appropriately.

• Learn how to practically master frameworks such as Logic Trees, 3C/4P, and ECRS.

🟢 Chapter 1: Introduction

Have you ever been told to 'decompose the problem' but didn't know where to start?

• You broke down the problem, but the solution didn't become clear.

• You are unsure which framework to use.

• You don't really grasp what 'decomposition' means in the first place.

The skill of decomposing problems is essential for honing logical thinking. In this course, we will introduce the 3 basic patterns of 'decomposition' and 3 frameworks to utilize them.

By reading this article, you should acquire the perspective of 'How should I decompose a problem to lead to an appropriate solution?'.

📌 For those who want to know more about this way of thinking, please refer to the 'MECE Explanation' in Part 1.

🟢 Chapter 2: Pre-test (Checking Learning Readiness)

📖 1. Prerequisite Test (Checking Basic Knowledge)

👉 Let's try answering the following questions.

• What is factorization? (In a mathematical sense)

• Do you know the principle of MECE? (Yes / No)

• Have you ever tried to solve a problem by decomposing it before?

🔹 Evaluation Criteria:
✅ Can answer 1 or more questions → Ready to understand the concepts
❌ All answers are '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.

• When you think 'I want to increase sales,' how can you break it down?

• List three benefits of breaking down problems into components.

• What is the MECE principle?

🔹 Target Action:
Acquire the ability to appropriately decompose problems and organize factors

🔹 Evaluation Criteria:
Does the answer include specific elements?

🔹 Passing Standard:
✅ Answer 2 or more out of 3 questions → Ready to learn
❌ 1 question or less → Proceed while thoroughly understanding the course content

🟢 Chapter 3: What is Problem Decomposition? (What is problem decomposition?)

Problem decomposition is the process of breaking down issues into components to organize them and make them easier to solve. By cutting large issues into smaller pieces, you can:

1. Clarify what the real issue is.

2. Make it easier to find concrete solutions.

3. Handle complex problems step-by-step.

There are three methods of decomposition: 'Numerical/Component Decomposition,' 'Process Decomposition,' and 'Root Cause Decomposition.' Let's look at the characteristics of each.

🟢 Chapter 4: 3 Basic Patterns of Factorization

📖 1. Numerical/Component Decomposition (Factorization)

👉Point: Think, 'What elements does this problem consist of?'

📌 Example: 'I want to increase sales'

• Sales = Average Customer Spend × Number of Customers

• Average Customer Spend = Unit Price × Number of Items Purchased

📌 Example: 'No profit'

• Profit = Revenue - Cost

• Cost = Fixed Costs + Variable Costs

📌 Diagram:

Application Scenario: Effective for analyzing problems that can be expressed numerically.

📖 2. Process Breakdown

👉Key Point: Break down the flow of things in detail to identify bottlenecks.

📌 Example: 'Work is slow'

1. Write out the current work flow.

2. Visualize where the waste is.

3. Separate necessary processes from unnecessary ones.

📌 Diagram:

Application Scenario: Useful for work efficiency and operational improvement.

📖 3. Root Cause Analysis

👉Key Point: Repeat 'Why?' to find the root cause.

📌 Example: 'New customers are not increasing'

• Is ad reach low?

• Is the price too high?

• Is there no differentiation from competitors?

📌 Diagram:

Application Scenario: Effective for finding the 'true cause' of a problem.

🟢 Chapter 5: 3 Useful Frameworks

📖 1. Logic Tree (Why Tree / How Tree)

Why is the logic tree important?

The logic tree is an essential tool for organizing the essence of a problem and advancing logical thinking.

• Why Tree (Root Cause Analysis) → Breaks down 'why' a problem is occurring in detail.

• How Tree (Solution Consideration) → Organizes 'how' to specifically solve it.

Now, let's learn about each one.

👉Why Tree (Root Cause Analysis): 'Why are sales not growing?'

• Sales = Average Customer Spend × Number of Customers

• Number of customers decreasing → Is advertising ineffective?

📌 Diagram:

👉 How Tree (Solution Consideration): 'How can we increase sales?'

• Raise prices?

• Increase average customer spend?

📌 Diagram:

Usage Scenario: Ideal for structuring business problems.

📖 2. 3C/4P Framework (Marketing Analysis)

Why is the 3C/4P framework important?

3C analysis is effective for "correctly understanding the market environment and determining company strategy." 4P analysis is useful for "designing specific marketing measures."

Now, let's take a look at the specifics!

👉 3C Analysis (Market Analysis)

• Company: Strengths and weaknesses of the company

• Customer: Target audience and needs

• Competitor: Competitor movements

📌 Diagram:

👉 4P Analysis (Measure Design)

• Product: What to sell?

• Price: At what price to sell?

• Place: Where to sell?

• Promotion: How to sell?

📌 Diagram:

Usage scenario: Effective for marketing and sales strategy.

📖 3. Work Waste Elimination Framework (ECRS)

Why is ECRS important?

When improving operations, ECRS is effective for clarifying "where the waste is" and designing efficient work processes.

👉 4 Steps of ECRS

1. Eliminate: Get rid of unnecessary tasks.

2. Combine: Consolidate for efficiency.

3. Rearrange: Optimize the procedure.

4. Simplify: Make complex tasks simple.

📌 Diagram:

👉 Example: 'Too many meetings'

• Eliminate unnecessary meetings

• Combine meetings with similar content

📌 Diagram:

Use case: Reduce waste in operations and improve efficiency.

📖 4. Points for Beginners

• By using ECRS, 'visualization of business processes' becomes possible.

• 'What should be reduced and what should be improved?' becomes easier to judge.

• It can be applied not only to companies but also to 'daily task management'.

🟢 Chapter 6 [Practical Challenge] How would you decompose it?

❓ Q. How would you decompose the problem of 'new customers are not increasing'?

📝 Let's think! (30 seconds)

Hint:

1. Numerical decomposition: 'Number of new customers = Number of visitors × Purchase rate'

2. Process decomposition: Check the flow of visitors (Awareness → Site visit → Product consideration → Purchase)

3. Root cause decomposition: Is the price higher than competitors? Is brand awareness low?

✅ Once you've thought about it, try decomposing it for real!

🟢 Chapter 7 Practical Workshop – Let's Decompose Your Challenges!

❓ Practical Exercises

👉 Let's decompose the following challenges using a logic tree!

• How to increase sales

• How to reduce operational waste

• How to beat the competition

👉It's easy if you use the worksheet format!

📝 Logic Tree Worksheet

1. Challenge: (e.g., Sales are not growing)

2. Perspective of decomposition: (Elements, Processes, Causes)

3. Create a logic tree:

   • Why Tree: Why is the problem occurring?

   • How Tree: How can it be solved?

🟢 Chapter 8 Summary

📖 Today's Learnings
✅ Understand the 3 basic patterns of factorization (Numerical, Process, Cause)
✅ Learn how to utilize Logic Trees, 3C/4P, and ECRS
✅ Broaden your perspective on solutions by decomposing 'New customers are not increasing' using 3 methods

📖 What changes when you acquire this skill?

By acquiring the ability to properly decompose problems, your 'ability to organize ambiguous challenges and translate them into concrete solutions' will improve.

• Work Efficiency → Identify business bottlenecks and reduce waste.

• Faster Decision-Making → Quickly identify the essence of a problem and select solutions.

• Improved Communication → Logically organize issues and convey them clearly to others.

This is a versatile skill that can be applied not only to business but also to learning and daily life.

🟢 Chapter 9 Post-Test (Check for Learning Retention)

📖 1. Confirmation of Learning Outcomes

Let's check your understanding of the second session based on the following criteria!

🔹 Target Behavior:
Acquire the ability to appropriately decompose problems and organize factors.

🔹 Evaluation Criteria:

• Does the answer contain specific elements?

• Is an appropriate framework utilized?

🔹 Passing Standard:
✅ 4 or more correct answers out of 6 → Learning outcomes achieved!
❌ If 3 or fewer correct → Review the course points again

📖 2. Post-Test

👉 Let's answer the following 6 questions!

1. What are the three decomposition patterns in factorization thinking?

2. Explain the difference between the 'Why Tree' and 'How Tree' in a logic tree.

3. List the four steps of the ECRS framework.

4. What are the three benefits of decomposing problems?

5. Explain the difference between 3C analysis and 4P analysis.

6. When actually discovering waste in business, which framework is optimal?

✅ Once you have finished answering, review without looking at the answer key and check how much you understood correctly!

👉Example answers are provided at the end!

📖 3. Reflection

👉 After taking this course, let's think about the following questions.

• Which framework seems most useful?

• How can you apply the techniques learned this time in your work or studies?

• What insights did you gain from actually trying to decompose a problem?

📌 It is important to put what you have learned into practice and produce output!

🟢 Afterword

Through this course, I hope that all readers will be able to utilize 'factorization thinking' in their daily lives and work to achieve more effective problem-solving. Learning is something built up one step at a time. It is okay if you are not perfect. First, let's try to build the habit of decomposing 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.

🟢 Example Answers for Post-Test

📖 Post-Test (Confirmation of Learning Outcomes) Example Answers

1. What are the three decomposition patterns in factorization thinking?
✅Example answer: Numerical/component decomposition, process decomposition, and root cause decomposition
📌 Explanation: It is important to decompose problems using appropriate methods in order to organize them and derive solutions.

2. Explain the difference between the 'Why tree' and 'How tree' in logic trees.
✅Example answer: The Why tree is used to explore the causes of a problem, repeating 'Why?' to identify root factors. The How tree is used to derive solutions, repeating 'How?' to organize concrete actions.
📌 Explanation: In problem-solving situations, the tree applied differs depending on whether you are identifying causes or thinking of solutions.

3. List the four steps of the ECRS framework.
✅Example answer: Eliminate, Combine, Rearrange, Simplify
📌 Explanation: Used to reduce waste in business and design more efficient work flows.

4. What are the three benefits of decomposing problems?
✅Example answer: 1. You can clarify the essence of the problem. 2. It becomes easier to find concrete solutions. 3. It becomes easier to organize and manage complex tasks.
📌

Explanation:
By appropriately decomposing problems, information organization becomes easier and logical thinking is strengthened.

5. Explain the difference between 3C analysis and 4P analysis.
✅Example Answer: 3C analysis focuses on 'market analysis (Company, Customer, Competitor),' whereas 4P analysis focuses on 'strategy design (Product, Price, Place, Promotion).' 3C is used to analyze the external environment, while 4P is used to determine specific marketing strategies.
📌 Explanation: 3C analysis is a framework for understanding the external environment, and 4P analysis is for determining specific marketing measures.

6. Which framework is best for actually discovering waste in business operations?
✅Example Answer: The ECRS framework is optimal. It aims to improve operational efficiency by Eliminating unnecessary tasks, Combining similar tasks, Rearranging procedures, and Simplifying processes.
📌 Explanation: It can be applied not only to companies but also to individual task management.

✅ Once you have finished answering, review without looking at the answers and check how well you have understood the material!