1. CLEAR (Challenge-Limitation-Effect-Action-Result)
Formula: Identify a Challenge, acknowledge a Limitation, predict the Effect, propose an Action, and envision the Result.
Description: The CLEAR framework is a problem-solving tool that helps in outlining a clear path from identifying an issue to predicting outcomes. It’s particularly useful in strategy meetings or when tackling business challenges. This method emphasizes understanding limitations, which can help set realistic actions and expected results.
Example: Imagine you’re facing the challenge of declining user engagement. The limitation might be that your current platform lacks features that keep users interested. The effect is a drop in user retention, but by upgrading your platform (action), you can improve user engagement and retention (result).
Use Case: CLEAR is ideal for outlining business strategies and predicting outcomes based on specific actions. It also serves well in project management to plan, assess risks, and predict results.
2. SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats)
Formula: Analyze Strengths, acknowledge Weaknesses, explore Opportunities, and consider Threats.
Description: SWOT analysis is a strategic planning framework that evaluates internal and external factors affecting an organization or individual. It provides a comprehensive view of where you stand and what opportunities or risks you should address, making it essential for business strategy, personal development, or even AI prompting.
Example: Consider someone wanting to advance in their career. Their strengths may include skills and experience, while weaknesses could be gaps in their resume. Opportunities might involve upskilling in new technologies, but they face threats from market saturation.
Use Case: SWOT is widely used in business strategy development, marketing plans, and personal career assessments. It helps identify areas to focus on and risks to mitigate.
3. PAR (Problem-Action-Result)
Formula: State the Problem, describe the Action taken, and reveal the Result.
Description: Often used in behavioral interviews, the PAR framework focuses on specific scenarios where you solve a problem through a defined action. It’s a concise way to explain past experiences, particularly when applying for jobs or evaluating a project’s success.
Example: Suppose a company is struggling with high employee turnover. The problem might be low engagement, so the action could involve introducing an employee engagement program. The result is an increase in retention.
Use Case: PAR is best suited for interviews, performance reviews, or case studies where quick, solution-based storytelling is needed to highlight achievements.
4. AIDA (Attention-Interest-Desire-Action)
Formula: Capture the audience’s Attention, maintain their Interest, create Desire for the product, and prompt Action.
Description: AIDA is a marketing formula used to create compelling advertisements or campaigns that draw the audience in and lead them toward a purchase or specific action. It’s particularly effective in crafting engaging content that grabs attention, builds interest, and leads to conversions.
Example: For an advertisement, you might begin by using a shocking statistic to grab attention. Next, maintain interest with a compelling story or unique product features. Create desire by showing how the product solves a problem, and close with a call to action (CTA), such as a limited-time offer.
Use Case: AIDA is excellent for marketers, copywriters, and content creators looking to build persuasive campaigns. It can be applied across multiple platforms like social media, emails, and advertisements.
5. STAR (Situation-Task-Action-Result)
Formula: Describe the Situation, outline the Task, detail the Action taken, and share the Result.
Description: Similar to PAR, STAR is frequently used in behavioral interviews. However, it goes a step further by including the Task as a key component. This framework is effective in communicating structured, concise, and results-oriented stories about past experiences.
Example: In a declining market situation, your task might be to maintain sales volume. Actions could involve innovative marketing strategies, and the result would be the retention of a majority of your customer base.
Use Case: STAR is ideal for answering competency-based interview questions, project evaluations, or performance assessments where you need to show how you handle tasks in specific situations and the outcomes you achieved.
6. PEAS (Performance measure-Environment-Actuators-Sensors)
Formula: Present the Situation, introduce the Complication, ask a Question, and provide an Answer.
Description: PEAS is a framework commonly used in designing agents in AI but can also be applied to human decision-making processes. The goal is to maximize performance within a given environment, using actuators and sensors to interact with that environment. It’s particularly useful in fields where performance metrics and environmental interactions are key.
Example: A company designing a customer service chatbot may need to evaluate the chatbot’s performance in handling customer inquiries. The Sensors detect the user’s question, the Actuators trigger a response, and the performance measure is customer satisfaction.
Use Case: PEAS is a fantastic framework for tech developers, AI designers, or anyone working on systems that rely on automation and user interaction. It helps in optimizing responses and maximizing outcomes in various scenarios.
