The future of work is a flexible, adaptable, and resilient workforce
By focusing on employee concerns, companies can take specific measures to help build resilience and value in today’s new normal.
Who We Are
Over 60 Years Of Practice
For over 60 years, Kepner-Tregoe has empowered thousands of companies to solve millions of problems. If we can save millions for a manufacturer, restore IT service for a stock exchange, and help Apollo 13 get back from space, we can help your business achieve success.
Kepner-Tregoe provides a unique combination of training and consulting services designed specifically to get to the root cause of problems and permanently address your organizational challenges.
Our Experience - Your Success
Agility in decision making protects your organization
We work within an environment of rapid change that requires an agile, flexible workforce. Within an organization, a shared process for decision making clarifies how a good decision is made and how to go about doing it. It can support simple, day-to-day decisions and can be scaled up to consider a wide array of objectives and involve input from many people.
Don't wait to plan your major incident response
In organizations that rely heavily on IT systems, major incidents don’t occur too often but when they do, a rapid, planned response is critical. For major incidents, the cost of the impact far exceeds the cost of resolution, and the key success factors are response time and the quality of the response to the issue.
Improve hiring success with Kepner-Tregoe Decision Making
A structured decision-making process is a standard hiring procedure in many organizations. That’s not to minimize the value of an analytic approach to all kinds of decisions. But personnel decisions are a big commitment with their own set of challenges. Here’s how an analytic approach can be used to improve hiring.
Our Basic Beliefs
-
Making Work Better, Smarter
We help people and organizations thrive through clear, rational thinking and effective action. We believe in using rational processes with energy and purpose to solve problems, make sound decisions, and drive meaningful change. Our passion lies in helping clients and colleagues achieve clarity and success in a complex world.
-
Driven by Client Impact and Quality
We focus on real results, continuously improving to deliver lasting client value. We are committed to creating tangible client outcomes and innovating our services to stay ahead. We focus on what works, apply lessons learned, and constantly seek smarter, more effective ways to serve our clients.
-
Built on Trust, Transparency, and Ethics
We act with integrity, communicate openly, and hold ourselves accountable to earn trust and lead ethically. We build trust through honesty, fairness, and ethical behavior. We foster open dialogue and share information transparently across teams and with clients. Our relationships are grounded in mutual respect and personal responsibility.
-
Collaborating for Success
We achieve more together – across teams, clients, and communities. We value teamwork and believe in the power of collaboration. By supporting one another and working across boundaries, we create an environment where ideas are shared, strengths are amplified, and people grow together.
-
Empowered by Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
We value an inclusive culture where everyone is respected, heard, and able to thrive. We celebrate the richness of people’s identities – across cultures, nationalities, abilities, and life experiences. Inclusion means making everyone feel welcome and providing the space to connect, belong, and contribute fully as their authentic selves.
-
Leading with Courage and Curiosity
We challenge the status quo, learn constantly, and lead with evidence and purpose. We are not afraid to ask questions, explore new ideas, or stand up for what we believe is right. Through a spirit of inquiry and a commitment to learning, we help our clients and ourselves evolve with confidence and purpose.
-
Practice What We Teach
We live our methodologies, applying them to our own business decisions to lead by example and maintain credibility. As global leaders in rational process, we apply the same critical thinking tools internally that we bring to our clients. From strategic decisions to daily operations, we lead by example – demonstrating our commitment to the standards we promote.
Build a world-class organization through systems improvement
Kepner-Tregoe is the global leader in helping companies improve the performance of their systems through a combination of consulting services and training programs.
KT is uniquely qualified to assess the architecture and design of critical business systems through the integration of three fundamental components: people, process, and technology.
Why KT?
3 reasons
01
01
Master Critical Thinking
Convert Complexity into Clarity
Discover Hidden Opportunities
“We develop critical thinking skills that promote creativity and amplify intuition as well as intelligence. Improving skills such as appraising a situation accurately, solving a problem quickly, and making the best possible decision, give companies a significant advantage in a highly competitive world.”
- Phillip Thompson
VP, Global Growth, Client Services & Marketing
KT Provides Solutions
-
Assessment
KT Diagnostic Assessment services offers a variety of quantitative and qualitative analyses to assess your processes, people, systems, and measurement capabilities in a holistic manner.
-
Capability Development
Kepner-Tregoe training builds advanced critical thinking skills that optimize data, knowledge, and experience to solve problems, make decisions, set priorities and manage risk. KT provides a foundation for working purposefully in a challenging environment.
-
Coaching
High-performance coaching is about helping all people reach their full potential, in any area of their lives. For the manager as coach, this means working with people to improve their performance at work.
-
Consulting
Kepner-Tregoe consulting uses structured analytic processes and industry insight to facilitate complex issue resolution and deliver sustainable results against key metrics.
-
Facilitation
Expert facilitation provides impartial guidance to help your teams solve crises when emotions are running high. This substantially increases the efficiency and effectiveness of finding a solution.
KT Areas Of Expertise
Manufacturing Operations
- Complex Problem Solving
- Root Cause Analysis
- Risk Reduction Management
- Efficiency Improvement
- Continuous Improvement
- Problem Prevention
Service Operations
- Incident Management
- Problem Solving/Root-Cause Analysis
- Maturity Assessment
- Coaching
- Workflow Management
- Simulation
Human Resources
- Improve Team Collaboration
- Increase Troubleshooting Speed
- Maximize Leadership Effectiveness
- Acceleration of New Hire Integration
- Amplify Talent Impact
What We Do
KT Improves Operational Performance & Profitability
How We Do It
KT Core Processes
Situation Appraisal
Situation Appraisal is an analytic approach for breaking down and understanding the complex issues we are facing. It enables us to impose order where there is uncertainty, establish priorities and decide when and how to take actions that produce good results.
Problem Analysis
Problem Analysis is a framework for cause-and-effect thinking. It enables us to move from observing the effect of a problem to understanding its cause so we can take appropriate actions to correct the problem and avoid unnecessary, often costly, fixes.
Decision Analysis
Decision Analysis considers: Which course of action should we take? When a choice must be made, Decision Analysis provides a process for analyzing alternatives to decide on the course of action most likely to accomplish a particular goal.
Potential Problem Analysis
Potential Problem Analysis helps us consider what lies ahead in a given situation. It helps us shape the future by preventing problems or planning actions that will lessen their impact.
Potential Opportunity Analysis
Potential Opportunity Analysis, like Potential Problem Analysis, helps shape the future, this time looking ahead to promote the possibility of opportunities occurring in order to take full advantage of them.
How We Integrate It
Comprehensive Systems Improvement
Effective practices need to be supported by effective processes and work-flow tools for documentation
Adapting to new behaviors needs to be agile to support fast, iterative learning and shorten time to results via integration with technology
Integrated tools, processes and a common language create a seamless information flow; the generation of knowledge and effective feedback loops drive continuous performance improvement
Layers of integration and alignment for maximum ROI
Ready To Transform Your Company?
Contact us for a complimentary expert evaluation!
Board Of Directors
Our board of directors is composed of a group of diverse and experienced individuals who support Kepner-Tregoe’s ongoing application of KT critical thinking methods and basic beliefs as a thriving and innovative organization engaged in meeting the challenges of a global marketplace.
Our Leadership Team
Our goal is to maximize customer intimacy and strong, trusting relationships by leveraging globally proven solutions while valuing the differences provided by our colleagues and clients around the world.
The composition of our leadership team is a reflection of the diverse expertise and global nature of our business.
The Gold Standard in Problem Solving
For over sixty years, Kepner-Tregoe has empowered companies to solve millions of problems, make better decisions and manage risk. We have integrated KT methodology into manufacturing operations, transformed IT service, and focused HR capability development on sustainable change by building critical thinking skills. Millions of people credit the use of KT rational processes for advancing their careers and thousands of companies use these analytic processes for saving millions of dollars.
The Origin Of KT Dates To NASA's Lunar Program
Early on, KT found a place in space operations. When NASA engineers heard, “Houston, we have a problem,” they used KT critical thinking skills to help bring Apollo 13 home. While not every solution is movie-worthy, an exciting aspect of what we do is the ROI. Powerful and sustainable, our processes yield results… in time and cost savings, smarter use of resources, fewer mistakes, uninterrupted operations, and higher profit.
Timeline
1958
Ben Tregoe and Chuck Kepner start the KT partnership in Ben Tregoe’s garage in Pacific Palisades, California. The first to focus on the critical need for training in problem solving and decision making, Kepner-Tregoe was founded to help others learn the processes that they had developed.
1962
Kepner-Tregoe moves its headquarters to Princeton, NJ and then expands to a modern headquarters in 1967.
1963
Kepner-Tregoe creates the Leader Development Institute (LDI), the first organization to introduce the “train-the-trainer” concept. Client employees who completed the rigorous LDI program were certified to teach KT Problem Solving and Decision Making and to lead programs that encouraged the use of Rational Process within their organizations.
1965
The Rational Manager, (McGraw Hill) by founders Kepner and Tregoe is published, becoming a best seller and a business classic. The New Rational Manager has been translated into many languages and continues to be read throughout the world.
1966
Kepner-Tregoe formalizes the company’s Basic Beliefs in writing which are the principles and ideas that grew out of the founders’ initial decision to create an organization that helps others learn. These continue to guide the way KT business is conducted.
Established Kepner-Tregoe Deutschland LLC in Germany and Kepner-Tregoe Ltd. in the UK.
1967
KT moves to a beautiful wooded location on Research Road. The modern building remains a classic example of 1960s modern design that features flexible interior spaces and large windows that frame woodland views.
Going Global
1980
Top Management Strategy by Ben Tregoe and John Zimmerman is published. KT formalizes strategy consulting service offerings.
1981
The New Rational Manager is published, an updated version of the original business classic.
Kepner-Tregoe Southeast Asia, Ltd founded
1984
Kepner-Tregoe, S.A. serving Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg is founded.
1985
In response to client demand, KT Project Management is developed to bring a rational process approach to project work.
1986
Kepner-Tregoe (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. is founded in Kuala Lumpur.
1987
Financial services company USF&G purchases KT.
1988
Kepner-Tregoe Thailand, LLC founded.
1989
Vision in Action: How to Integrate your Company’s Strategic Goals into Day-to-Day Management Decisions, by Ben Tregoe, John Zimmerman, et al is published.
1991
Ben Tregoe is elected to the HRD Hall of Fame.
1993
Ben Tregoe steps down as president of KT and establishes the Tregoe Education Forum, now known as TregoED, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing KT Problem Solving and Decision Making to children in American schools. He continued to play an active role on the KT Board of Directors until his death in 2005.
1996
A group comprised principally of KT employees acquires the company back from USF&G.
KT remains an employee owned company today.
1999
KT launches Project Logic® software to provide a rational process framework for Microsoft® Project.
2000
KT launches eThink® software to enhance and support use of KT Problem Analysis, Decision Analysis, Situation Appraisal, and Potential Problem/Opportunity Analysis.
Kepner-Tregoe Nederland, LLC is founded.
2002
KT publishes a series of books that are well received by the business and academic communities. These include: How Organizations Work (2002) by Alan P. Brache; The Art and Discipline of Strategic Leadership (2003) by Mike Freedman; The Rational Project Manager (2005) by Andrew Longman and Jim Mullins; and Implementation: How to Transform Strategic Initiatives into Blockbuster Results (2006) by Alan P. Brache and Sam Bodley-Scott.
2005
Ben Tregoe passed away on April 20, 2005. NY Times obituary.
2009
Portfolio Manager, a cloud-based project management application giving organizations real-time access to monitor important projects across company departments, time-zones and geographies is developed and launched by Kepner-Tregoe.
2012
KT introduces new approach to building competitive advantage, The Thinking Organization, powered by KT Clear Thinking.
2013
Kepner-Tregoe launched an upgrade of its foundational skills workshop, Problem Solving and Decision Making. KT also launched its first app for iPad and Android tablets to support KT Clear Thinking processes in solving problems, making decisions, executing plans. MyKT and the first Learning Library are launched to support certified Program Leaders and Coaches.
2015
Substantial advancements are made in KT’s products and consulting services in ITSM Problem and Incident Management. KT’s Problem Management plug-in is incorporated into the ServiceNow platform.
2016
KT introduces virtual training options to allow learners to participate from anywhere in the world. Kepner-Tregoe begins development of web based Apps with SofTools to leverage IoT technology and data advances to access and display operations data.
Charles Kepner passed away on March 26, 2016.
KT introduces its second app (KT for Incident Management) for the ServiceNow Platform.
2017
KT launches a Troubleshooting Simulation model to help clients bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world and get to results faster.
2018
Kepner-Tregoe launches a user-friendly suite of Apps to embed skill development in client organizations.
KT launches a new suite of eLearning modules for core processes (SAPADAPPA) and a Problem Solving Basics module.
2019
KT launches KT Frontline – a simulation and experiential learning-based training solution, especially tailored to shopfloor and frontline service employees.
KT launches ‘KT LiveOnline,’ with modular delivery of single-process workshops.
2020
KT introduces its third app (Advanced Case Management) for the ServiceNow platform.
KT starts providing all of its training solutions as a virtual instructor-led option, leveraging our long experience in virtual delivery supported by eLearning to rapidly help clients address pandemic travel and social distancing issues.
2021
KT licenses Australia and New Zealand to Bluefield Asset Management Co.
KT updates their brand and introduces a new tagline, Challenges. Opportunities. Results.
KT launches the Problem Solving Learning Path – which combines state-of-the-art eLearning with the impact of coaching.
KT/Microsoft win Bronze in Brandon Hall Award for Excellence in Learning.
Our Business Today
19
Locations worldwide
60+
Years of practice
1000000+
Of people trained
Explore our full range of solutions:
Contact Us
For inquiries, details, or a proposal!