20 Creative Thinking Techniques

You can overcome routine thinking and stimulate creative thought by using specific creativity techniques that will help both stimulate and constrain your mind so that it can solve problems more effectively and generate more ideas.

Here are 2o Creative Thinking Techniques:

Idea Box – A Morphological Analysis

Idea Box is a Morphological analysis technique developed by Fritz Zwicky in the 1940′s and 50′s as a method for systematically structuring and investigating the total set of relationships contained in multi-dimensional problems. It’s an extension of attribute listing. Variations of this technique are described by Arthur VanGundy in his book “Techniques of Structured Problem Solving” and Michael Michalko in “Thinkertoys”.

You choose the number of parameters for your challenge and list variations for each parameter. By combining different variations of the parameters you create new ideas. The box is a matrix in which you insert all of the different parameters so that you can see them clearly. If you choose 10 elements with 10 possible variations for each, there will be 10 billion possible combinations, so keep this in mind so that you’re idea box isn’t too complex.

The general procedure to implement this technique is the following:

Step 1. List all the major elements involved in the issue or problem.  For example, the major elements of a product you’re trying to improve could be the material, the shape, and added features.

Step 2. Each variable is then listed under each element. So under “material” the variables could be wood, steel, plastic, and so on.

Step 3. Start combining the variables together to try to come up with some novel ideas.

Step 4. Analyze the ideas and decide which one to pursue.

For more information on this technique, refer to my blog post “Three Incredibly Effective Creativity Techniques”.  In addition, part of the book “Thinkertoys”–including an explanation of this idea with a great example–is available for free here.

Two More of Michael Michalko’s  Creativity Techniques

Here are some more of Michael Michalko’s creativity techniques:

• Koinonia: To generate ideas, brainstorm with others in your field.  Einstein, for instance, would freely exchange ideas and opinions with his colleagues.  Michalko explains that Einstein would use a technique originated by Socrates in which the principles of Koinonia were applied.  Koinonia means “spirit of fellowship.”

• Edison’s Idea File: Keep track of any good ideas you come across by writing them down and storing them someplace where you’ll easily find them when you need them. As Mark Twain once said: “All ideas are second hand, consciously or unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources and used by the creative person with pride and satisfaction.”

The Exquisite Corpse

This technique was invented by the Surrealists in 1925. It’s a method by which a collection of words or images is collectively assembled. For example, a person writes a sentence on a piece of paper and passes it to the next person, who adds their own sentence and passes it someone else, and so on. Instead of sentences it can be musical notes, or part of a drawing.

“One strategy the surrealists used to elicit imagery from the unconscious is called the “Exquisite Corpse.” In this collaborative art form, a piece of paper was folded in four, and four different artists contributed to the representation of a figure without seeing the other artists’ contributions. The first drew the head, folded the paper over and passed it on to the next, who drew the torso; the third drew the legs, and the fourth, the feet. The artists then unfolded the paper to study and interpret the combined figure.” (Source)

The Lotus Blossom Approach

Describe the problem that you’re facing and write it down on a card or Post-it Note and place it in the middle of a large working area.  Use other tools for creating ideas to generate a set of ideas on how to solve the problem.  Write each idea on a card or Post-it Note of its own and place it around the problem description.  This is the first layer of the lotus blossom.

Make a copy of each of the idea cards and place them further out from the first layer.  Now surround each of the copied idea cards with secondary ideas, using only the copied idea cards as stimuli. This should result in ideas which are further removed from the original problem.  Look around the many ideas you now have and seek to link some of these back to the original problem.

Introduce a Random Element

A commonly used creativity technique is defining your problem and then introducing a random element–such as a word you pick randomly out of the dictionary or a magazine–and forcing an association between the word and the problem.

For example, suppose you can’t fit your child’s new mattress in your car.  You look for a random object and the first thing you see is a dog.  Dogs can often be seen in cars with their heads hanging out the window.  This gives you the idea to open one of the back windows and let part of the mattress hang out the window.  This way, you’re able to get the mattress in the car.

Here are three random element techniques:

• Random Word: For more information on how to use the random word technique go here or here.
• Random Picture: For more information on how to use the random picture technique go here.
• False Rule: In addition, the random element that you introduce can be a “false rule”. Basically, you take a rule, quote, idea or suggestion from somewhere else and apply it to your own situation. For example, apply the following rules to your problem: the shortest distance between two points is a straight line; if you hear hoofs think horses, not zebras; or, always disconnect the power supply before changing the light bulb. For more information on how to use the false rule technique go here.

Introducing random elements is an example of lateral thinking. For more information on lateral thinking, visit my post: Lateral Thinking – Think Out of the Box.

Good Old Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a process for generating new ideas in which specific rules and techniques are applied which encourage and spark off new ideas which would not have happened under normal circumstances. The brainstorming rules are basically the following:

1. Withhold judgment and criticism.  During the first stage of a brainstorming session ideas are not evaluated in any way.
2. Wild, seemingly wacky ideas are welcome.
3. Go for quantity, not quality.
4. Build off the ideas put forth by others.
5. Mutate and Combine, that is, deliberately distort and modify existing ideas and deliberately try to build new ideas from combinations of existing ones.

Reverse Brainstorming

Reverse Brainstorming is a technique in which you state your problem in reverse: change a positive statement into a negative one, try to define what something is not, and so on.  Basically, it’s a combination of the well-known brainstorming technique with the technique of changing your perspective so that you can look at the problem or situation from a completely different angle.

For example, if you want to increase sales make a list of all the things you could possibly do to decrease sales.  These could include not making any calls to prospects, being rude to customers, showing poor product knowledge, and so on.  Then reverse engineer: How can I make more sales by making more sales calls? How can I increase sales by giving better service to my customers? A portion of the book “Cracking Creativity”–including a discussion of the reverse brainstorming technique–is available for free here.

SCAMPER

The SCAMPER technique was developed by Bob Eberle.  SCAMPER is an acronym which stands for questions relating to the following:

S – Substitute/Simplify: Think about substituting part of your product/process for something else. Typical questions include: What can I substitute to make an improvement? What if I swap this for that and see what happens?

C – Combine: Think about combining two or more parts of your problem to achieve a different product/process or to enhance synergy. Typical questions are: What materials, features, processes, people, products or components can I combine? Where can I build synergy?

A – Adapt: Think about which parts of the product/process could be adapted to remove the problem or think how you could change the nature of the product/process. Some typical questions that can be asked are: What part of the product could I change? And in exchange for what? What if I were to change the characteristics of a component?

M – Modify/distort: Think about distorting the product or process in an unusual way. Typical questions can include: What happens if I warp or exaggerate a feature or component? What will happen if I modify the process in some way?

P – Put to other Purposes: Think of how you might be able to put your current solution/ product/process to other purposes, or think of what you could reuse from somewhere else in order to solve your own problem. Typical questions are: What other market could I use this product in? Who or what else might be able to use it?

E – Eliminate: Think of what might happen if you eliminated various parts of the product/process/problem and consider what you might do in that situation.  You can ask the following questions: What would happen if I removed a component or part of it? How else would I achieve the solution without the normal way of doing it?

R – Rearrange: Think of what you would do if part of your problem/product/process worked in reverse or was done in a different order.  You can use this to see your problem from different angles and come up with new ideas. A typical question would be: What if I did it the other way round?

To learn more about SCAMPER, read Luciano’s “Creative Problem Solving With Scamper”.

Role Playing

Role playing is about taking on a different identity, whether an invented persona or someone you know. Assume that identity or refer to the fictitious person as “this person would suggest . . . ” This will allow you to come up with ideas that you normally would not feel comfortable suggesting, but which you can freely express by attributing them to someone else.

In addition, if there’s a particular problem that you’re trying to solve, you can role play what it’s like to be in the situation that you’re trying to resolve.  For example, if you’re trying to attract more customers to a grocery store, role play what the shopping experience at that store is like.

Superhero or the Napoleon Technique

This is a technique in which participants pretend to be a fictional superheroe–such as Superman, Spiderman, the Incredible Hulk, Batman, James Bond, Wonder Woman, Sherlock Holmes, and so on–and use their ‘super’ characteristics to trigger ideas. This will help you to think outside of the norm and, like the role playing technique, will allow you to express ideas that you would not normally express.

For an interesting article on the Napoleon technique go here.

Assumption Busting

Think of the situation or problem at hand and list all of the assumptions that you’re making.  What do you feel are the constraints to the problem?  What rules are you automatically applying? Challenge your beliefs.

In order to better understand how you make assumptions, follow this process:

1.  Think of a recent decision you’ve made.

2. List all of the reasons supporting your decision.  Those are your assumptions.

3. Now list the opposite of all the assumptions you made.

4.  Ask yourself how confident you feel about the assumptions you made.  Then ask yourself what would be the impact if it turned out that the opposite assumption were true.

You can find more information on assumption busting here.

Attribute Listing

With attribute listing you break the problem down into smaller and smaller bits and notice what you discover as you do.

The steps are:

1. Select a problem, product or system.

2. Break it into key attributes or stages or parts.

3. Identify various ways to achieve each attribute or part.

4. Design or create a solution by manipulating and recombining the variables.

An example that is often used is a screwdriver; break it down into all of its components:

• the handle
• the shaft
• the tip

For each attribute ask yourself what it contributes, and then look for ways in which you can modify it in some way.  Can you made the handle of the screwdriver more comfortable? How can you make the tip more efficient?  Someone thought of a battery-operated screwdriver to make this tool more efficient.  For more information on this technique go here.

Mind-Mapping

A Mind Map is a graphic technique for representing ideas, using words, images, symbols and color. The concept was created by Tony Buzan and is based on patterns found in nature and research on how  humans think and how the brain works.

Basically, you write down the problem or issue at the center of a piece of paper.  You draw branches leading out from the central issue, and smaller branches leading out from these.  The branches are organic and free flowing, instead of being structured and rigid.  The first level of branches represent the main associations that come from thinking of the central issue.  You add one word per branch.

Then, from each main association you’re going to branch out into sub-associations.  It’s important to use color and images when creating mind maps to further stimulate both memory and imagination.

Wishful Thinking

Think of the situation in a wishful, fantastic sense. Think beyond sensible, beyond practical and feasible. Just think about what would be really nice or simply interesting. Think playfully, as a child.  Frame ideas starting with “I wish”.

Biomimicry

Biomimicry studies nature’s best ideas and then imitates them to solve human problems. It’s innovation inspired by nature, such as studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell.  Nature is filled with solutions that already work.

Here are some of the things on the innovation candidate list:

• Air conditioning inspired by termites
• Bacterial control inspired by red algae
• Building Material from CO2 inspired by mollusks
• Fog harvesting inspired by a desert beetle
• C02 capture inspired by algae
• Adhesion without glue inspired by geckos

For more examples visit the “Nature’s 100 Best” web site.

COCD Box

The COCD (Center for Development of Creative Thinking) developed a handy tool for creative thinking.  The purpose of the box is to further encourage outlandish thinking during brainstorming sessions.  The process works as follows:

1. Ideas are generated during a brainstorming session and each one is given a number.

2.  Each participant is given red, yellow, and blue sticking dots. The blue dots represent the plain, but realizable ideas.  That is, those ideas that are closest to what is already being done.  The red dots represent original, but realizable ideas (the Wow ideas).  The yellow dots are attached to those ideas that are very original but are not realizable at the present moment.

3.  Discuss which ideas should be assigned which dots.

The unique feature of this technique is that it encourages you to consider the yellow ideas, the dreams, the ideas of the future.

Free Writing

Focus on the problem that you’re trying to solve.  Give yourself a set period of time–twenty to thirsty minutes–and simply start writing. Write whatever comes to mind–without censoring what you’re writing–and don’t lift your pen or stop typing for the allotted time. Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation or anything else except putting words on paper.

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photo credit: pedrosimoes7

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