Lateral Thinking - 3 methods

Lateral Thinking

Lateral Thinking

Creative ThinkingSome methods by Edward de Bono

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Concept Triangle

Using the concept triangle to generate alternatives

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Concept Triangle Process

Problem

Idea 1

Idea 4

Idea 3

Idea 2

Concept

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Process

Generate ideas.Take one idea and identify the concept behind the idea.Develop new ideas using the same concept.Think of a new way of solving the problem.Identify the conceptEtc.

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Principles

Think of an idea not as an individual idea but as a representative of a concept which can be used to solve the specified problem.Having identified the concept, proceed to generate other ideas using this same concept.

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Random Inputs

Using random inputs to escape the mainstream

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Introduction of random stimulus which has nothing to do with the topic about which we are thinking.

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A

B

C

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Random Word Technique

TransitTickets

FOCUS

Random Word

Ideas

Association

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Provocation

Using provocations to deliberately leave the mainstream

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Provocation & Movement

A

B

C

Po

Movement

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Po techniques

EscapeReversalExaggerationDistortionWishful Thinking

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Escape

Negate what you have taken for granted about the topic.Take a statement, that you take for granted.The provocation is the negation of the statement.

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Reversal

Take a statement that you have taken for granted.Make a statement that is the opposite fx by taking the opposite of a key word in the statement or by switching the object and the subject.

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Exaggeration

If there is a numercial or quantitative element in the statement you take for granted:Exaggerate the statement (upward or downward).

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Distortion

If there is a time sequence or a relationship in the taken-for-granted statement:Distort the time sequence or relationship.

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Wishful Thinking

Suggest a fantasy that you know cannot occur.Complete a statement of the form Wouldnt it be nice if?

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Movement techniques

Extract a PrincipleFocus on the DifferenceMoment to MomentPositive AspectsSpecial Circumstances

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Extract a Principle

Look at the Provocation and try to extract a principle or concept.Discard the Provocation and work with the concept to get new ideas.

Similar til Concept Triangle.

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Focus on the Difference

Compare the Provocation with the existing situation.Highlight and explore the points of difference.

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Moment to Moment

Imagine or simulate what would happen if we tried to implement the provocation as it stands.Look for ideas along the simulation process. Let fx one person do the simulation while others look for ideas.

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Positive Aspects

Look at the Provocation and see whether there are any direct benefits or positive aspects of the provocation itself. Examine each of the benefits to see whether they could be achieved by more practical means.

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Special Circumstances

Look for special circumstances where the Provocation might have some immediate use even if it is crazy or unsuitable in general.

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