Download - Creativity Lateral Thinking
Creativity An exploration of lateral thinking techniques to enable more robust problem solving
Hi, I’m Digit
I’m here to talk to you about. . .
Lateral Thinking
Let’s start with. . .
“What is lateral thinking?”
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Lateral thinking is an unorthodox approach to problem-solving, often looking at a problem from other 'sides' rather than head-on
So let’s start by looking at an example of lateral thinking.
LateralLateralThinkingThinking
. . .versus regular linear thinking.
Deconstructing Creativity
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We’ll do that by looking at how the Beatles created the Sergeant Pepper’s Album
. . .and comparing a linear approach to the lateral approach that they took.
Normal Logical Thinking
• Step 1 - Identify the problem or opportunity
• Step 2 - Logically, analytically generate alternatives
• Step 3 - Select the best alternative(s)
Make a new Make a new Rock albumRock album
Arrange Arrange Chuck Chuck BarryBarrysongssongs
J & PJ & PWrite Write new new
songssongs
Use Use unrecorded unrecorded
old old songssongs
That’s not very exciting
Let’s start with a normal, linear approach to the problem of creating a new and exciting album.
How they did it
Lateral Thinking
• Step 1 - Identify the problem or opportunity
• Step 2 - Generate a new, unrelated, thought or idea
• Step 3 – Extract principles or characteristics from the idea
• Step 4 - Logically explore the relationship of the characteristic to the problem
• Step 5 - Select the best alternative(s)
Make a new Make a new Rock albumRock album
Make an Make an operaopera
Tell aTell astorystory
Opera Opera singerssingers
Duets with Duets with opera opera
singerssingers
Fat Fat lady singslady sings
Fat lady Fat lady on cover on cover of albumof album
Write Write songs songs thatthattell a tell a storystory
Now let’s look at their lateral thinking approach.
Creative Lateral Thinking
• Step 1 - Identify the problem or opportunity
• Step 2 - Generate a new, unrelated, thought or idea
• Step 3 - Extract a principle or characteristic from the idea
• Step 4 - Logically explore the relationship of the characteristic to the problem
• Step 5 - Select the best alternative(s)
Two middle steps are most important
One of them is not:
• Rational
• Sensible
• Logical
• Reasonable
All other steps are logical
All creativity uses this same template, or a simple variation on it.
So what did we learn?
Judgment . . . a big barrier• 5 minute rule . . .• Not all ideas will create
Aha’s• Be patient, give it at
least five minutes
Here’s a tip
While the first idea may seem silly, the technique’s value is its ability to get you to see ideas you are not normally able to contemplate.
Here’s another tip
Lateral Thinking Techniques
Escape, Reversal and Random Entry techniques were created by Edward deBono.
Here are four techniques that all follow that pattern
There are exercises you can try
Step 1 - Identify the problem or opportunity where you need to generate alternative solutions
Step 2 - Generate a new thought or idea
Step 3 - Extract a characteristic or principle
Step 4 - Logically explore the relationship of the characteristic to the problem
Step 5 - Select the best alternative(s)
Lateral Techniques - Generic Process
1. Escape Technique
Step 1 - Identify the problem or opportunity where you need to generate alternative solutions
Step 2 - List characteristics of that issue that we normally take for granted
• Choose one characteristic
Step 3 - Change the characteristic in some way, or eliminate it
Step 4 - Logically explore the relationship of the changed characteristic to the problem
Step 5 - Select the best alternative(s)
Escape Technique Practice
Technique Review
What did you learn?
2. Random Entry Technique
Step 1 - Identify the problem or opportunity where you need to generate alternative solutions
Step 2 - Select a word at random -Use a dictionary and select two numbers at random – one for the
page, one for word on the page (a noun)
Step 3 - Extract a principle or characteristic from the random word
Step 4 - Logically explore the relationship of the characteristic to the problem
Step 5 - Select the best alternative(s)
Random Entry Practice
Technique Review
What did you learn?
3. Reversal Technique
Step 1 - Identify the problem or opportunity where you need to generate alternative solutions
Step 2 - Select a characteristic of the problem or opportunity
Step 3 - Reverse the characteristic
Step 4 - Logically explore the relationship of the reversed characteristic to the problem
Step 5 - Select the best alternative(s)
Reversal Technique Practice
Technique Review
What did you learn?
4. Word/Picture Mapping Technique
Step 1 - Identify the problem or opportunity where you need to generate alternative solutions
• Take a large piece of paper (e.g. flipchart). Place on table• Write problem/issue in center. Everyone gathers round
Step 2 - Group generates a new thoughts or ideas
• Group draws lines from issue and writes down other words they associate with key issue
Step 3 - Extract a characteristic or principle
• Looking at the new words find other words to associate with them.• Draw lines between associated words
Step 4 - Logically explore the relationship of the characteristic to the problem
Step 5 - Select the best alternative(s)
Word/Picture Mapping Practice
Technique Review
What did you learn?
Imagine your team was skilled at lateral thinking.
What value could you unlock?
If you’d like more info.
Call us and ask for John.
Tell him Digit sent you.
Ennova Inc.Toronto, Ontario1-888- 6ennova905-294-8050 (local)John @ennova.ca