5 Whys Root Cause Analysis Template and Step-by-Step Guide
Use this printable 5 Whys root cause analysis template to run a facilitated session that finds real causes, not symptoms or blame. Includes a worked example.
October 26, 2026
Strategy, decisions, execution
Strategy you can actually execute on Monday.
Strategy Lab publishes hands-on playbooks for founders, managers and small teams: how to analyze a market, make a hard call, plan a quarter and get people to follow through. Worked examples, templates, no fluff.
Latest
Fresh from the lab
How to Track Strategic Goals Progress Without Micromanaging
A lightweight weekly system to track strategic goals progress: one scorecard, a 20-minute check-in, and honest confidence ratings, no status theater.
October 26, 2026
How to Run a Project Kickoff Meeting: Step-by-Step Guide
Run a project kickoff meeting that locks in scope, owners, risks, and success criteria. Includes a pre-work checklist, 60-minute agenda, and example.
October 25, 2026
How to Write OKRs for Small Teams That Get Followed
A step-by-step guide to writing OKRs for small teams, with a worked example, a copyable template, and a weekly check-in routine that keeps goals real.
October 25, 2026
How to Build a Content Distribution Strategy That Works
Learn how to build a content distribution strategy: pick channels based on audience behavior, set a 70/30 effort split, and track results with a template.
October 24, 2026
Brand Positioning vs Product Positioning: The Difference
Brand positioning is the place you hold in a market. Product positioning is the case for one offer. Learn how they differ, align, and what breaks.
October 24, 2026
How to Run a Win/Loss Analysis: A Repeatable Process
A repeatable win/loss analysis process for small teams: who to interview, the questions to ask, how often to run it, and how to turn answers into action.
October 23, 2026
◆ Business Strategy
Positioning, competitive analysis, business models and the choices that decide where you play and how you win.
When to Change Your Business Strategy (and When Not To)
A diagnostic checklist to tell whether your strategy is broken or just needs more time, with a worked example, a scoring table, and common mistakes.
October 21, 2026
How to Stress Test a Business Strategy Before You Commit
Use assumption mapping and a red-team review to find fatal flaws in your strategy before you spend real money. Includes a worked example and template.
October 20, 2026
Build vs Buy vs Partner Decision Framework for Founders
Use a four-criteria framework to decide whether to build, buy, or partner. Score cost, speed, control, and risk, with a worked example and a scoring table.
October 20, 2026
◈ Decision Making
Frameworks, checklists and mental models for making better calls faster with incomplete information.
Decision Brief Template for Teams: One Page, Real Alignment
Use this one-page decision brief template for teams to capture context, options, criteria, and a recommendation so the same decisions stop coming back.
October 22, 2026
Satisficing vs Maximizing Decision Making: Decide Faster
Satisficing means picking the first option that clears your bar. Learn when good enough beats optimal, and a simple rule to choose the right mode.
October 22, 2026
Inversion Thinking: How to Use It in Business Decisions
Learn how to use inversion thinking in business: map how a decision could fail first, find blind spots, and fix them with a worked example and template.
October 21, 2026
▲ Marketing & Growth
Go-to-market strategy, pricing, channels and growth loops that work for small teams and tight budgets.
How to Build a Content Distribution Strategy That Works
Learn how to build a content distribution strategy: pick channels based on audience behavior, set a 70/30 effort split, and track results with a template.
October 24, 2026
Brand Positioning vs Product Positioning: The Difference
Brand positioning is the place you hold in a market. Product positioning is the case for one offer. Learn how they differ, align, and what breaks.
October 24, 2026
How to Run a Win/Loss Analysis: A Repeatable Process
A repeatable win/loss analysis process for small teams: who to interview, the questions to ask, how often to run it, and how to turn answers into action.
October 23, 2026
▦ Planning & Execution
OKRs, roadmaps, quarterly planning and the operating rhythms that turn strategy into shipped work.
How to Track Strategic Goals Progress Without Micromanaging
A lightweight weekly system to track strategic goals progress: one scorecard, a 20-minute check-in, and honest confidence ratings, no status theater.
October 26, 2026
How to Run a Project Kickoff Meeting: Step-by-Step Guide
Run a project kickoff meeting that locks in scope, owners, risks, and success criteria. Includes a pre-work checklist, 60-minute agenda, and example.
October 25, 2026
How to Write OKRs for Small Teams That Get Followed
A step-by-step guide to writing OKRs for small teams, with a worked example, a copyable template, and a weekly check-in routine that keeps goals real.
October 25, 2026
⬢ Frameworks & Tools
SWOT, Porter's Five Forces, Business Model Canvas and other tools, explained with worked examples and templates.
5 Whys Root Cause Analysis Template and Step-by-Step Guide
Use this printable 5 Whys root cause analysis template to run a facilitated session that finds real causes, not symptoms or blame. Includes a worked example.
October 26, 2026
VRIO Framework: How to Spot a Real Competitive Advantage
Use the VRIO framework to test whether your competitive advantages are truly sustainable. Includes a worked example, scoring template, and key mistakes to avoid.
October 6, 2026
MoSCoW Method Prioritization Framework: A Practical Guide
Learn how to use the MoSCoW prioritization framework with a worked example and step-by-step session guide. End recurring priority debates for good.
October 6, 2026
● Leadership & Teams
Aligning people around a strategy: communication, delegation, meetings and team structure.
Team Charter Template for Small Teams (That Gets Used)
Build a team charter for a small team in one 90-minute session. Get the key components, a copyable template, a worked example and facilitation tips.
October 19, 2026
Manager vs Leader: Difference Explained for Team Leads
Manager vs leader difference explained: a practical way to tell which role a situation demands, with a worked example, a comparison table, and common mistakes.
October 18, 2026
How to Run Effective 1 on 1 Meetings That Actually Help
A simple 1-on-1 meeting format with sample questions, a worked example, and common mistakes to avoid, so check-ins become real coaching conversations.
October 18, 2026
How we work
Every article is built around a decision someone has to make.
We start from a real question ("should we raise prices?", "how do we run a pre-mortem?"), lay out the steps, show a worked example with numbers, and name the mistakes we see most often. Read the editorial policy to see how pieces are researched, reviewed and updated.