Is/Is Not

Use the Is/Is Not form to define a problem more clearly and specifically by asking a series of questions about its scope and boundaries.

This problem-solving technique allows stakeholders to gain a better understanding of the problem and its constraints by explicitly stating what is and what is not part of the problem.

The Is/Is Not form answers the following questions.

What factors of a problem are relevant?
What factors of a problem are absent?
What are the differences between the critical factors and the distractions?

The Is/Is Not form is commonly used in 8D projects. For more information about 8D, go to 8D Methodology.

How-to

In the Is column for each area, specify any factors that are directly related to it.
In the Could Be (But Is Not) column for each area, specify any factors that are not directly related to the problem.
In the Distnction column, compare the first two columns to determine what the differences reveal about the nature of the problem.
Use this information to provide a clear and concise description of the problem and its scope.

For more information, go to Add and complete a form.