1.1.   Create distance, set the context first

1.2.   Sift symptoms from causes

1.3.   Know your strategic priorities

1.4.   Articulate your problem statement

1.5.   Validate your problem with stakeholders

1.6.   Filter out problem and solution bias

1.7.   Be clear about ownership and key roles

2.   Develop Creative Alternatives

2.1.   Alternatives are more than contrasting props
2.2.   Go for unique ideas to bolster your competitive position
2.3.   Think outside the box!
2.4.   Focus on bigger problems to find bigger solutions
2.5.   Use clear ground rules for productive brainstorming
2.6.   Give your alternatives an honest, fair chance
2.7.   Go on, do cherry-pick

3.   What would you Really, Really you do Without the Money?

3.1.   Make the most of what you have with the Optimised Base Case

3.2.   Create real value, fast

3.3.   Create instant credibility (1)

3.4.   Create instant credibility (2
3.5.   Unveil value in projects you’d normally avoid
3.6.   Be clear on why not to do the Optimised Base Case
3.7.   Harvest insights gained from the Optimised Base Case

4.   Ensure your Decision is the Right One

4.1.   Align with company strategy

4.2.   Validate your Right to Succeed
4.3.   Avoid the “There Is No Doubt” decision trap 
4.4.   Ensure early vertical alignment
4.5.   Don’t second-guess your leader
4.6.   Be clear about what you are giving up
4.7.   How does this fit with other things going on? 

5.   Prepare for Success

5.1.   Be clear about what really drives value

5.2.   Prepare to be wrong
5.3.   Work with a Range of Outcomes
5.4.   Encourage constructive challenge
5.5.   Appoint value driver owners
5.6.   Cast the net of outcomes wide
5.7.   Reduce the downside, maximise the upside

6.   Be Realistic about Risks

6.1.   Know the value of risk planning

6.2.   Check for different risk types 
6.3.   What risks should you worry about most?
6.4.   Ask about options
6.5.   Explore exit strategies 
6.6.   Set trip wires and keep an eye on things
6.7.   Erect guard rails

7.   Look Back to Look Ahead

7.1.   Understand why hardly anyone ever looks back

7.2.   Look back to learn some lessons
7.3.   Make it swift, painless and valuable
7.4.   Look ahead to make looking back easier
7.5.   Have a mind-set for failure
7.6.   Align incentives for looking back
7.7.   Include lessons from the past in your proposal

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