The first step is asking a focused question about your topic, issue, or process.
For example, consider this question: What can be done to decrease turnaround times for serum lactate levels to identify septic patients sooner? Notice that the question is focused on a solution. This helps direct your research and ensure you are addressing the problem.
Phrasing the question as stated above is better than asking the same question in a non-solution-focused manner, such as "Why are our turnaround times for serum lactate so poor?"
