1. Where do we want to be? (i.e., our ends, outcomes, purposes, goals, holistic vision)
2. How will we know when we get there? (i.e., the customers' needs and wants connected into a quantifiable feedback system)
3. Where are we now? (i.e., today's issues and problems)
4. How do we get there? (i.e., close the gap from C to A in a complete holistic way)

5. What will/may change in your environment in the future?

1. Starts with today and the current state, issues, and problems.
2. Breaks the issues and/or problems into their smallest components.
3. Solves each component separately (i.e., maximizes the solution).
4. Has no far reaching vision or goal (just the absence of the problem).

Note: In Systems Thinking, the whole is primary and the parts are secondary (not vice-versa).