Free Tools

Every tool here is free to download. No email, no sign-up. Find the problem in front of you and start there.

Fixing a process at work or home

• EASIER Companion Toolkit

  12 printable worksheets from the upcoming book There Has to Be an Easier Way. Start with a ten-minute Friction Hunt.

• Process Improvement Toolkit

  Lean templates in Excel and PowerPoint: SIPOC, 5 Whys, Pareto, fishbone, value stream map, PDCA tracker, and dashboard.

Not sure where to start? Begin with the Process Improvement guides.

Leaving federal service

• Federal Exit Records Checklist

  One page. Save what you need before your access changes. Start here if you only have ten minutes.

• Federal Separation & RIF Organizer

  Fillable PDF for notices, deadline windows, eOPF and SF-50 records, FEGLI, FEHB, TSP elections, and final pay.

Federal retirement

• Federal Retirement Records Organizer

  Record your coverage code, SF-50s, service computation date, and military deposit, then spot mismatches before they cost you.

Guard retirement

• ANG Retirement Decision System

  13-page fillable PDF. Hit the VA BDD window, pull your records before CAC access ends, and map every office that owns a piece of your exit.

• ANG Retirement Command System

  45-page playbook: points, SBP, DFAS, TRICARE, the FERS technician path, and 30/60/90 follow-up. Fillable and print editions.

• Reserve/Guard Retirement Points & Qualifying-Year Tracker

  Google Sheets tracker for point statements, qualifying-year records, discrepancies, and correction follow-up. Records what your official sources say; never calculates.

Military to civilian work

• ANG Career Alignment System

  Excel workbook that turns your military experience into scored civilian career paths and your first 3 moves. Works for Guard, Reserve, and active duty.

Veterans

• VA Claim Organizer

  Excel workbook to organize claims, evidence, medical visits, and orders, compare decision review options, and get one next step at a time.

• Veteran 100% P&T Benefits Tracker

  Track VA benefits, CHAMPVA, DEA Chapter 35, property tax exemptions, vehicle fees, and state benefits in one place.

Just got laid off

• Layoff and Severance Tracker

  Severance window, COBRA election, unemployment filing, 401(k) decision, and final pay in one Excel tracker.

Don't see your problem? Tell me what keeps getting in the way. New tools start there.

Looking for collector, family records, or small business organizers? Browse the shop.