Wow, as always, thanks for sharing your valuable insight Jim!
By the way, another way to look at it is to use a method called C&E (cause & effect) or Ishikawa (fish) diagram. It's a simple way to triage what you are trying to accomplish by logically dumping your knowledge. It's a little trick I learned as a Six Sigma black belt. Here's how it works:
1. Take a stack of yellow post-it notes
2. Just start writing down whatever comes into your head for a given topic you want to try; Limit yourself to one or two words per sticky note
3. Stop until you can't go any further
4. Put them up on the wall
5. Think and start putting snotes into logical groups or categories (this process is called affinity association)
6. Each category becomes your main "bone"
7. All sticky notes per category become your little bones
8. Draw a diagram (Google it or look here:
Ishikawa diagram - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
9. Examine each bones and start associating exactly what needs to be done to positively complete that particular category
You most likely will have to go through many iterations to come up with a solid actionable plan. You can also use a software product called "mind map" or "mind manager", but why spend $$ and time on learning the software?
Good luck!
Kev