Tests whether the beliefs underneath a stuck situation are facts or frames.

For any stalled decision or initiative, write down the three assumptions it rests on. Rate each:

• (a) Have I verified this in the last ninety days?
• (b) Would a qualified peer operator hold the same view?
• (c) Is it a fact, or a frame I’ve built?

Frames disguised as facts are where most strategy fails. Any premise scoring “no / no / frame” is the first thing to test, not the downstream execution.

RUNS: 15 minutes. Use before any high-stakes strategic call.

From The Operator’s Edge, Principle #3.