3 Methods for Developing your Ideas

Socratic Questioning

1. Clarify your thinking and explain the origins of your ideas. Why do I think this?

2. Challenge assumptions. How do I know this is true? What if I thought the opposite?

3. Look for evidence. What is one example?, What are the sources?

4. Consider alternative perspectives. How would others think? How do I know I am correct?

5. Examine consequences and implications. What if I am wrong? What are the consequences if I am?

6. Question the original questions. Why did I think that? Was I correct? What conclusions can I draw from this process?

https://fs.blog/first-principles

The Five 'Why'

Many adults might find children’s incessant “why” questions irritating, but their constant questioning is actually a natural example of thinking in first principles. Here’s what it might sound like:

“It’s time to get ready for bed.”

“Why?”

“Because our bodies require sleep.”

“Why do we need sleep?”

“Because we’d die if we never slept.”

“Why would that make us die?”

“I don’t know; let’s look into it.”

Organizations can break down problems and processes using this same method. Eventually, you’ll arrive at a question you can’t answer—this is where you develop a new solution.

https://www.readynorth.com

1. Name your problem Naming of the problem is often the critical part of any problem-solving exercise. If your team is not clear on what is the problem, use 5 Whys method (in short, asking 5 times in a row why the certain situation occurred until is the right problem uncovered).

2. Brainstorm analogies to your problem Transfer your problem statement to another problem, brainstorm analogies that describe the problem principle in different environment or circumstances. Be creative at this step and encourage any ideas, this is the fun part. Analogy does not have to be from the same industry, business context or have any relation to the scope of your project. What counts is the principle of the problem to which you create the analogy.

3. Let the team(s) pick up the analogy they like the most After the team brainstormed several analogies, let them decide on which they will work further. You may reach consensus by discussion or use any voting technique.

4. Brainstorm ideas how to solve the analogy problem Remind everyone to forget about the original problem that the team was supposed to solve. The whole group now focus on the new problem, the selected analogy. Let the team brainstorm potential solutions for the problem analogy. Give them enough time to switch their minds to the new problem to ensure they do not relate their thinking to the original issue. Follow the common brainstorming rules to encourage everyone to participate and don’t dismiss any ideas.

5. Translate the brainstormed solutions back to the context of the original problem Here comes the most important part. The group is now instructed to look at the brainstormed solutions for the problem analogy and transfer the solutions ideas to potential solutions of the original problem. Help to facilitate the discussion by focusing on following the solution principles.

https://www.projectmanagement.com

The SCAMPER brainstorming technique encourages brainstormers to look at an idea from different angles and it uses its acronym to inspire each lens

1. Substitute : consider what would happen if you swapped one facet of a solution for another.

2. Combine : consider what would happen if you combined one facet of a solution with another.

3. Adapt : consider how you could adapt an idea or solution in a new context.

4. Modify : consider how you can modify an idea to make it higher impact.

5. Put to another use : consider how else you could leverage your idea.

6. Eliminate : consider what you could remove from the idea or solution so that it’s simplified.

7. Reverse effective: finally, consider how you could reorganize an idea to make it most effective.
   

When used in a group brainstorming session, you might want to use templates to track responses or pair the SCAMPER method with a brainwriting session to encourage all brainstormers to evaluate ideas from every angle.

Best for: individual and group brainstorms, vetting ideas thoroughly

https://asana.com