---
title: "Is/Is-Not Method"
description: "A vague problem leads to vague solutions. The Is/Is-Not method draws a precise boundary around your problem by asking where it happens and, just as important, where it does not. Watch the short video, then work with the toolkit PDF:…"
url: "https://skillagility.com/en/resources/is-is-not-method/"
updated: "2026-10-07"
category: 01 DEFINE
---

# Is/Is-Not Method

A vague problem leads to vague solutions. The Is/Is-Not method draws a precise boundary around your problem by asking where it happens and, just as important, where it does not. Watch the short video, then work with the toolkit PDF: it explains the method, shows a worked example and gives you a blank template to fill in.

Tool video

The short tool video will appear here.

[Is-Is-Not-Method_Toolkit_EN](https://skillagility.com/wp-content/plugins/embedpress/assets/pdf/web/viewer.html?&file=https%3A%2F%2Fskillagility.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2FIs-Is-Not-Method_Toolkit_EN.pdf#key=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)

## Is/Is-Not Method in short

1. **Draw the table.** Five rows (What, Where, When, How much, Who) and two columns (Is, Is Not).
2. **Fill in the Is column.** Describe precisely where, when and how the problem shows up.
3. **Fill in the Is Not column.** For each row, name similar objects, places or times where the problem could occur but does not.
4. **Look for differences.** Ask: what is special about the Is side compared to the Is Not side?
5. **Write the problem statement.** Summarize the Is column in one or two sentences.

Key points

- Five questions, two answers each: Is and Is Not.
- The Is Not column narrows the scope and points to causes.
- Use facts, not assumptions.
- End with a precise problem statement.

**Related tools:** [SMART Goals](https://skillagility.com/en/resources/smart-goals/) · [SIPOC](https://skillagility.com/en/resources/sipoc/) · [In/Out-Frame](https://skillagility.com/en/resources/in-out-frame/)