Why isn’t this working?
It is not working as expected.
Find where it breaks down.
You have put a tool, system, or change into use, but the result is not what you expected—or keeping it working takes more effort than it should.
Start with what happenedThe result is not what you expected.
A tool, system, or change is in use. The result is weak, wrong, inconsistent, or taking more effort than it should.
Start with the result.
You have moved beyond choosing and setting up.
The work has reached real use. Before you replace or rebuild it, find the first place where the expected path and the actual path separate.
Locate the breakdown.
One place to investigate first.
Use one recent example to trace what went in, what happened, what came out, and what people had to do around it.
Find where it breaks.
A place to start
Choose a thought. Bring it into view.
Find where it breaks
Trace one real example.
Choose one useful first check.
You do not need to prove the root cause. Follow what went in, what happened, and what came out before you replace, rebuild, or add something.
The Decision Toolkit
Decide what to repair.
Know what not to replace.
A likely breakdown gives you a better decision: repair, adjust, replace, wait, or leave the working parts alone.
The Decision Toolkit helps you compare those options against what matters to you. You leave with a Decision Brief: what you chose, why it fits, and what to do next.
Use it after you have something specific to decide. It does not diagnose the root cause or repair the system.
Print it, type in the workbook, or work through it with your AI. Reuse it for your next decision.
You can start here, too
Ready to replace everything?
Start with a little reading.
Before you rebuild · ArticleI Was Ready to Burn It Down.
I’m Glad I Didn’t.
A system can be outgrown, badly fitted, or in need of one repair. The first answer is not always to tear it down.
Read the article ↗Ready to trace your own example?
Return to the guided check ↑