The Four-Fields Structured Interview is a moderation set, visually displayed in a professional manner in order to perform group interviews. By applying this analysis method, strenghts and weaknesses of a current process are documented structured from the perspective of the process owners. The Expectations of the analysis team regarding the target state process and risks involved are substantiated. The Four-Fields Structured Interview ideally complements value stream analyses in administration and production.

The Four-Fields Structured Interview fits into any laptop bag or briefcase and can be applied on every magnetic surface.

The set contains 240 coloured double-sided moderation cards sized 140 x 70 mm (approx. 5.5 x 2.75 inch) - 60 cards per each of the four fields "strengths", "weaknesses", "expectations", and "risks". By means of 80 magnetic cones enclosed, cards can be fixed and easily removed for adaptations. Furthermore four magnetic headlines and two

separation lines - variable in length - are enclosed, enabling a simple and fast setup of a customized array. The set is completed by a detailed guidance of how to use the method. Moderation cards as well as all other components of the set can be reordered at any time.

In performing well-known Lean process analyses focusing on reduction of lead times, elimination of waste and process faults, a reference to specific situations of the company or the sector being examined is missing. The result of this is that key basic conditions are disregarded and quality problems in the value chain are not considered in detail. These more related informations are stored in the minds of the project team, of the specialists and process owners, who experience the peculiar characteristics and requirements each day.

The Four-Fields Structured Interview represents a method that documents in a structured way strengths and weaknesses of a considered system from the process owner's point of view. The expectations of the team placed on the future state and associated risks are taken into account.

This results in a wide acceptance in the team both during the analysis phase and in the subsequent development of the future state, because every team member has the opportunity to contribute his own

experiences and views. Furthermore, the subsequent analysis (e.g. value stream analysis) provides increasingly detailed information and extends the discussion range. Gained insights and problem areas are discussed in a structured way in the group and categorized. This results in a deep understanding of the current state and a structured choice of further convenient analysis methods.

This method requires an experienced facilitator who is able to conduct a group discussion. At the beginning of a structured interview, proceeding and aims are explained and the team to be interviewed gets the moderation cards and normal pens. Next, the facilitator allocates questions into the four matrix fields and every interviewee completes moderation cards (front face) in a maximum quantity to be defined.

Following the completion of each of the four Q&A sessions, the facilitator affixes the answers by means

of the magnetic buttons in the corresponding matrix field on the board. Upon completion of all four Q&A sessions the facilitator reads out the listed views and asks questions. Now a lively discussion is welcome - the concerning moderation cards are removed from the board and the conclusions of the discussion are reported on the back face under "comments". Furthermore the category of the card and the effect are reported. Then the card is fixed again on the board.

On completion of the structured interview the issues and categories mentioned are evaluated.

The results influence the subsequent choice of the analysis method and the contents of the problem analysis.

The Four-Fields Structured Interview ideally complements value stream analyses in the administration and production sector. The method has to be applied thereby as the first step.