Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M6864

SOSTAC

SOSTAC
BusinessHigh supportMarketing
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

PR Smith's marketing planning framework: S (Situation): current situation analysis; O (Objectives): goal setting; S (Strategy): strategic direction; T (Tactics): tactical means; A (Action): action plan; C (Control): control and evaluation.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

A complete template for marketing planning. Full coverage from analysis to execution to control.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

A full-process template for marketing planning from analysis to control: Situation sets the baseline, Objectives set the direction, Strategy defines 'where to go', Tactics define 'how to get there', Action defines 'who does what when', and Control defines 'how to measure and correct'. The distinction between strategy and tactics avoids 'only talking about means without direction'.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Practice this model in one real situation:

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Source support: Explicit

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