During the framing stage of analytical design, which combination of SATs is most suitable to employ?

• A. Idea generation, argument map and four way of seeing.
• B. Argument map and four way of seeing.
• C. Idea generation and argument map.
• D. Argument map, key assumptions check and four way of seeing.

Answer: (D)

In framing, you want to clearly define the problem, surface and test underlying assumptions, and widen your perspective so you don’t miss important angles. An argument map helps you lay out the reasoning you plan to use, making how each claim follows from evidence explicit and revealing gaps or contradictions in your logic. A key assumptions check pushes you to identify the premises you’re taking for granted and assess what happens if they don’t hold, which helps prevent hidden biases from steering the analysis. The four ways of seeing prompts you to view the issue from multiple perspectives, challenging conventional thinking and revealing alternative explanations or framings. Together, these SATs build a solid, defensible frame for the analysis before moving into options or testing hypotheses. Other combinations either skip essential framing steps—like testing assumptions or broadening perspectives—or jump too quickly into idea generation, which can sidetrack the problem definition.