Structured Analytic Techniques: Starbursting

Analysts face many stumbling blocks on the road to effective analysis. Some people may think analysis comes easy for intelligence analysts, but analysts are just as susceptible to falling victim to biases and assumptions as anyone else. Analysis is a process and a skill, but just like any skill, it takes consistent, repeated practice to achieve rigorous analysis. Analysts use structured analytic techniques (SATs) to ensure their analysis stands up to scrutiny. 

SATs are focused techniques that challenge the analysts’ thinking to mitigate the impact of cognitive biases. SATs are often divided into five distinct categories: exploration, diagnostic, reframing, foresight analysis, and decision support.

One of the first techniques analysts may implement is the exploration technique of simple brainstorming. Brainstorming does not have to be limited to simple idea generation. Other brainstorming techniques include cluster brainstorming, circleboarding, mind maps, Venn analysis, brainwriting, and starbursting. 

The Stars Align

Starbursting, a systemic method of brainstorming, aligns the team up front to prevent wasting time and resources later in the project. The process works because it can expose hidden assumptions, reveal intelligence gaps, and uncover blind spots or the “unknown unknowns.” 

Starbursting is an exploration technique usually used in the beginning phase of a project to analyze a new idea, project, or product. This method relies on generating questions instead of generating answers. It uses six question starters (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How) to fully evaluate an issue for clearer understanding. 

Unlike simple brainstorming, the focus of startbursting is not to find solutions, but to   examine the issue and consider what needs to be known before trying to create a solution. The team is compelled to think through questions that are likely to arise during the project and when presenting assessments and findings to the customer. Questions are meant to explore ideas and problems more thoroughly before moving to solutions or assessments.

Starbursting is a simple, visual technique. It starts with a six pointed star with the issue or topic in the middle. At each of the six points, one of the question starters is written. From there, the team comes up with as many questions as they can for each category.  

When logistical issues keep teams from being able to run SATs in person, it is important to find techniques that work well on virtual platforms. Starbursting is a straight-forward technique that is easy to facilitate with remote teams. Many platforms have digital whiteboards that allow for each participant to add sticky notes to the whiteboard. If you don’t have access to a digital whiteboard with sticky notes, have each team member write down their questions silently, then add them to the chat or send directly to the facilitator. 

When all of the questions have been generated, categorize the questions by grouping similar questions together. The team should prioritize questions by voting on the most important questions to be addressed. Once the key questions are defined, a plan or approach can be made to address those questions.

Beware the Derailers: 

• Do not try to answer the questions while brainstorming the questions. 
• If someone tries to answer questions, redirect them to come up with more questions.
• Dig deeper than surface level questions. Be specific. 
• No question is a bad question. Obvious questions can lead to deeper questions.
• Start with Who, then What, then When, and so forth because this follows the structure of sentences in the English language. 
• Do not let one person dominate the conversation. Everyone gets a voice, and everyone contributes to the questions. If one person is dominating (or is expected to), instruct the team to write down their answers and place them on the board silently. No talking until the ideation portion ends.