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Thinking Toolkit

The mental models, frameworks, and first principles we use to find the problem behind the problem.

Each framework links to WAM content showing it in action.

Problem Framing & Diagnosis

Strip away assumptions, find root causes, reframe the question

First Principles Thinking

Strip to fundamental truths, then reason up

Aristotle via Elon Musk
Used in: Room 40Times Radio

5 Whys

Drill down to root cause iteratively

Sakichi Toyoda
Used in: All Case Studies

Reframe / Flip

What if the opposite were true?

Edward de Bono
Used in: Abbot Suger

Constraints Audit

Which constraints are real vs. assumed?

Theory of Constraints
Used in: Abbot Suger

Jobs To Be Done

What job is this solution hired for?

Clayton Christensen
Used in: High StreetBeLeaf

Pre-Mortem

If this failed, why would it have failed?

Gary Klein
Used in: AI Rollbacks

Complexity & Systems Thinking

Navigate complex systems, find leverage points, understand domains

Cynefin Framework

Categorise: Clear, Complicated, Complex, or Chaotic

Dave Snowden
Used in: Fix The BudgetAI Rollbacks

Iceberg Model

Events > Patterns > Structures > Mental Models

Systems Thinking
Used in: Fix The BudgetHigh Street

12 Leverage Points

Find highest-leverage intervention in a system

Donella Meadows
Used in: High Street

OODA Loop

Observe-Orient-Decide-Act faster than competitors

John Boyd
Used in: Room 40

Double Diamond

Diverge/Converge through problem and solution spaces

Design Council

Strategic Analysis

Position for growth, prioritise investments, map competitive landscape

Blue Ocean / ERRC Grid

Create uncontested market space

Kim & Mauborgne

Wardley Mapping

Map value chain evolution from Genesis to Commodity

Simon Wardley

Ansoff Matrix

Penetrate, Develop, Diversify

Igor Ansoff

DuPont Analysis

Decompose ROE: Margin x Turnover x Leverage

DuPont Corporation

Communication & Story

Structure arguments, tell compelling narratives, make ideas stick

Minto Pyramid Principle

Answer first, then Arguments, then Data

Barbara Minto

Hero's Journey

The monomyth of transformation

Joseph Campbell
Used in: Storyselling

StoryBrand

Customer as hero, brand as guide

Donald Miller
Used in: Storyselling

STAR Framework

Situation, Tension, Action, Resolution

WAM (from Cosmos)
Used in: Storytelling Frameworks

Philosophical Razors

Cognitive hygiene - cut through noise, detect weak arguments

Occam's Razor

Prefer simpler explanations (fewer assumptions)

William of Ockham

Hanlon's Razor

Don't attribute to malice what stupidity explains

Robert J. Hanlon

Sagan Standard

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence

Carl Sagan

Hitchens' Razor

Asserted without evidence, dismissed without evidence

Christopher Hitchens

WAM Proprietary

Our original frameworks, battle-tested on real problems

PROBLEM Framework

Perceive, Reframe, Orient, Build, Launch, Evolve, Measure

Word And Mouth
Used in: All Solved Features

Storyselling

Solution Stack: Problem > Insight > Solution > Evidence > CTA

Dave Thackeray
Used in: All Commercial Content

Analog Advantage

Friction, Curation, Third Place, Sensory Sovereignty

Word And Mouth
Used in: High Street

CRAFT Framework

Create, Refine, Arrange, Flip, Tackle

Dave Thackeray
Used in: AI Content

Want to apply these to your problems?

We don't just teach frameworks - we use them. Every engagement starts with diagnosis: what game are you actually in?

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