catch a problem before it begins

[riverstar]

Hi,

Ok so I'm having such a hard time to put what I really want to say on paper, so let me give a little summary of what I'm trying to say.  I know I heard of it but can't thint exactly what the words are.  It's like collecting data in order to catch a problem before it starts, wow this is harder than I thought....  Any help will be greatly appreciated...