3DM6 Objective Analysis
The Foundation for Developing Strategy and Actionable Plans
The 3DM6 Approach is built around four interconnected domains:
Objective Analysis – Define what success looks like
Decision Analysis – Identify the characteristics of key decisions
Essential Analysis – Apply foundational, accessible techniques
Solution Design – Build solutions that are complete, aligned, and adaptable
This article focuses on 3DM6 Objective Analysis, the foundational activity that sets the stage for the others.
Most planning frameworks agree: a clearly defined objective is critical to achieving it. Vague or incomplete objectives lead to misalignment, wasted resources, and limited progress. But what exactly makes for a clear, actionable objective? What elements should a good objective or problem statement include? How specific can we be?