Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M6779

PPA

PPA
BusinessHigh supportManagement
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

Potential Problem Analysis, part of the Kepner-Tregoe method, systematically identifies potential problems in a plan, assesses their likelihood and severity, and develops preventive and contingency measures.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Prevention is better than firefighting. Systematically think about "what could go wrong" before problems occur, and prepare countermeasures in advance.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Plans assume everything goes smoothly, but problems often lurk in the dark. PPA systematically scans before action: what could go wrong (potential problems), how likely and severe, how to prevent (reduce probability), and how to respond if it occurs (reduce impact). Move passive firefighting forward to proactive deployment.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

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Source support: Explicit

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