Structured Analytic Techniques (SATs) are systematic methods designed to improve critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. They help analysts:
✅ Reduce cognitive biases 🎭
✅ Enhance clarity in complex situations 🔍
✅ Improve forecasting and decision-making 🎯
✅ Encourage collaborative thinking 🧠
SATs are widely used in intelligence analysis, business strategy, security, risk assessment, and policy-making.
Understanding and applying SATs effectively can be challenging, especially with so many techniques available. This cheat sheet provides:
✅ A quick reference to key techniques 🏷️
✅ Simple step-by-step guidance 🛠️
✅ Best practices to avoid common mistakes
✅ A structured approach to selecting the right technique for a given problem 🔎
Whether you're a beginner learning SATs or a professional looking for a quick refresher, this cheat sheet is a practical tool to help you apply structured analysis efficiently.
- Identify Your Need – Are you exploring ideas, diagnosing problems, reframing assumptions, forecasting the future, or making decisions?
- Find the Right Technique – Each section groups techniques based on their purpose.
- Follow the Steps – The cheat sheets outline key steps and best practices for each method.
- Apply & Adapt – Use SATs in individual or group settings to enhance structured thinking.
💡 Remember, structured techniques do not replace critical thinking—they enhance it!
This repository contains cheat sheets for selected SATs (not all techniques are listed).
SATs are categorized into six families:
- 🔎 Exploration Techniques – Idea generation & problem exploration
- 🧐 Diagnostic Techniques – Identifying key assumptions & testing hypotheses
- 🔄 Reframing Techniques – Challenging mindsets & alternative thinking
- 🔮 Foresight Techniques – Anticipating future scenarios & uncertainties
- 🎯 Decision Support Techniques – Structuring decisions & evaluating options
Each cheat sheet provides:
✅ A brief description of the technique
✅ When to use it 📌
✅ Step-by-step guidance 🛠️
✅ Best practices & pitfalls 🚨
This cheat sheet provides a concise reference and does not cover every SAT in detail and is inspired by the great Randolph Pherson & Richards Heuers work. For comprehensive guidance, i highly suggest to read the master source:
📖 Structured Analytic Techniques for Intelligence Analysis by Randolph Pherson & Richards Heuer. Order it here: https://a.co/d/dsvsaut or at your favourite book store!
🔍 Looking for a specific technique? Check out the cheat sheets for individual methods! 🚀