After Action Review Basic

An introduction to the foundations of S:DISS-X, showing why helping begins with understanding readiness, fit, resources, and the right problem before attempting solutions.

Session Summary

This introductory session establishes the foundation for the S:DISS-X Basic Practical Program. Mike explains that helping is often less effective than people assume because helpers frequently move too quickly into advice, problem-solving, and action before determining whether the person is actually ready, willing, able, and fit for change.

The session introduces the idea that helping should begin with problem-finding rather than problem-solving. Mike emphasizes that many persistent problems continue because people have not yet identified the real problem. As a result, helpers often invest time, energy, and resources solving the wrong issue. This creates frustration and recurring difficulties. The purpose of S:DISS-X is to slow the process enough to improve understanding before action is taken.

A major theme throughout the introduction is the distinction between developmental helping and interrogatory helping. Traditional helping often relies heavily on prompting through questions such as who, what, when, where, why, and how. Mike explains that these prompting methods can be valuable in transactional situations but may become premature when the actual problem has not yet been identified. Therefore, S:DISS-X encourages restraint and selective inquiry before moving into transactional problem-solving.

The session also introduces My Team Resources: Money, Information, Time, Energy, Attention, and Motivation. Mike explains that readiness alone is insufficient. Even when people are motivated, they may lack the resources necessary to take action. Effective helping therefore requires understanding resource constraints and adapting support accordingly.

The concept of RightACTION is presented as finding the next right thing rather than forcing predetermined solutions. Inquiry helps uncover what action best fits the current situation. Mike connects this idea to BDIKS (Behaviors, Design, Knowledge, Skills, Experience, and Systems), explaining that advice is often ineffective because these underlying conditions have not been addressed.

The session further explores CCR@VUCA, describing how Culture, Conditions, and Requirements operate within increasingly Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous environments. Purpose becomes especially important in navigating these conditions. Mike argues that many challenges arise not only from individual limitations but from the broader systems and contexts people inhabit.

The introduction concludes with discussions of ARIA(H), Helping Functions, Humaning, Wealth, and BREATHE. Together these frameworks emphasize that helping is not simply about solving problems. It is about supporting people in living better lives, recognizing their developmental needs, and helping them discover more effective ways of responding to reality.

What Happened

This session functioned as a guided orientation to the S:DISS-X framework. Mike walked learners through the major concepts that support effective helping and explained why many helping efforts fail.

The discussion began with Ready, Willing, Able, and Fit. Mike explained that helping should be guided by readiness, motivation, capability, and contextual fit rather than assumptions. He then introduced the idea that helpers should resist premature prompting and focus first on discovering the real problem.

The session then explored My Team Resources, RightACTION, BDIKS, CCR@VUCA, ARIA(H), Helping Functions, Humaning, Wealth, and BREATHE. Throughout the introduction, Mike emphasized that helping is developmental rather than merely transactional and that inquiry should support understanding before action.

The overall purpose was to prepare students for later practical sessions by establishing the core language, concepts, and assumptions of the S:DISS-X system.

S:DISS-X Forms Observed

IMULL Score

Overall IMULL Read

4.5 out of 5

The session provides high leverage through foundational concepts while remaining accessible to beginners.

RightACTION Note

TPOVs Surfaced

Reinforced TPOVs

New or Candidate TPOVs

Advanced TPOVs Mentioned

Suggestions for Improvement

• Add a visual diagram showing how the major frameworks connect.
• Clarify the distinction between PROMPT and interrogatory questioning.
• Introduce My Team Resources earlier in the presentation.
• Add beginner examples of Ready, Willing, Able, and Fit.
• Provide a visual model of BDIKS.
• Create a one-page glossary for new learners.
• Separate beginner concepts from advanced concepts more clearly.
• Include a simple case study demonstrating problem-finding before problem-solving.
• Add a summary graphic showing how inquiry supports RightACTION.

APC Source Candidate Notes

Candidate Source Title

Problem Finding Before Problem Solving

Source Type

Foundational S:DISS-X Introduction Source

Canonical Definition

Problem Finding Before Problem Solving is the principle that effective helping begins by identifying the actual problem, readiness, capability, fit, and contextual conditions before investing resources into solutions.

Why It Matters

Many helping efforts fail because solutions are applied to misunderstood problems. By improving problem-finding, helpers reduce wasted effort, increase actionability, and improve developmental fit.

The principle also supports better use of inquiry, resources, and helping functions by ensuring that action is directed toward the most relevant leverage point.

Do Not Collapse With

Do not collapse this with analysis paralysis, indecision, or avoidance of action. The purpose is not to delay action indefinitely. The purpose is to improve the quality of action by ensuring that the right problem is being addressed before resources are committed.