by X | @rali2100 - Linkedin|R Ali

Created 2023-11-08

Harnessing the Power of Bad Ideas in Design Thinking

While it may seem counterintuitive, embracing bad ideas can be a powerful tool in the design thinking process. By intentionally exploring unconventional and even absurd concepts, we can break free from conventional thinking patterns and open up a more comprehensive range of possibilities for innovation.

In the classic 1954 film "Doctor in the House," Sir Lancelot Spratt, a renowned surgeon, conducts a teaching ward round. While his medical expertise is undeniable, his approach to patient care and student interaction reflects a bygone era of hierarchical teaching methods.

Watch this Youtube video and think of all the bad ideas for a teaching ward round. 

Let's reimagine this scene from the patient's and learner's perspectives:

Patient Perspective:

• Instead of being treated as a passive subject, the patient becomes active in their care.

• The doctor engages with the patient as a whole person, considering their physical, emotional, and social well-being.

• The patient's preferences and concerns are respected and incorporated into treatment decisions.

Learner Perspective:

• Students are encouraged to think critically and question rather than accept the doctor's pronouncements as facts.

• Learning is facilitated through hands-on experiences and collaborative discussions rather than rote memorisation and passive lectures.

• Students are empowered to develop their own clinical judgment and decision-making skills.

By examining the shortcomings of Sir Spratt's approach, we can identify opportunities for improvement. Exploring bad ideas, even those that seem extreme, can spark creativity and lead to innovative solutions.

Here are some specific ways to use bad ideas in design thinking:

1. Brainstorming:

• Encourage participants to generate as many ideas as possible, even if they seem outlandish or impractical.

• Set aside judgment and allow ideas to flow freely without fear of criticism.

2. Reverse Brainstorming:

• Deliberately come up with the worst possible solutions to the problem at hand.

• Analyse these bad ideas to identify their flaws and potential hidden gems.

3. Worst Possible Idea Technique:

• Intentionally generate the most impractical and ridiculous ideas imaginable.

• Use these extreme ideas as springboards for more feasible and innovative solutions.

• Use the arts and cinema to learn about patient care (Darbyshire and Baker, 2012). 

Remember, bad ideas are not the end goal but stepping stones to breakthrough innovations. By embracing bad ideas, we can challenge our assumptions, expand our thinking, and unleash our creativity.

Stepping stones metaphor 

The metaphor "stepping stones" refers to using a series of intermediate stages or actions to achieve a goal. Just as stepping stones provide a path across a stream or river, each step in the process helps you move closer to your objective. The metaphor emphasizes the importance of taking small, consistent steps rather than trying to leap over obstacles in one go.

Think of goals as a path across a stream, made up of stepping stones.

Imagine you want to cross a stream. Instead of trying to jump across it in one leap, you use stepping stones to create a path. Each step brings you closer to your goal of reaching the other side.

This is similar to how we achieve goals in life. We don't usually reach them overnight. Instead, we take a series of steps, one at a time. Each step is like a stepping stone, moving us closer to our goal.

Breaking down big tasks into smaller ones

When we face a big challenge, it can feel overwhelming. But if we break it down into smaller steps, it becomes more manageable. Each step seems less daunting, and we can focus on one thing at a time.

Using stepping stones to guide the design process

When designing something, we often follow a process with different stages, like brainstorming, prototyping, and testing. These stages are like stepping stones in the design process. By going through them one by one, we make sure we're thinking about all aspects of our design.

Seeing your progress along the way

As we complete each step, we're essentially adding another stepping stone to our path. This helps us visualize our progress and stay motivated. We can see how far we've come and know we're getting closer to our goal.

Small steps lead to big achievements

Even though each step may seem small, they all add up. When we take consistent action, we make significant progress towards our goals.

Using stepping stones to inspire creativity

Each step is a chance to try something new and come up with fresh ideas. We can think of each step as a new opportunity to be creative and innovative.

Be flexible and ready to adjust

Things don't always go exactly as planned. Sometimes, we need to change our path or adjust our steps as we move forward.

An Approach to bad ideas

Brainstorming

1. Set a timer for 5-10 minutes.

2. Instruct everyone to generate as many bad ideas as possible, without judgment.

3. Encourage participants to be creative and come up with the most ridiculous ideas they can think of.

4. Write down all ideas as they are generated.

Reverse Brainstorming

1. Identify the problem you are trying to solve.

2. Instead of brainstorming solutions, brainstorm ways to make the problem worse.

3. Analyze the bad ideas to identify potential solutions.

4. Reverse the bad ideas to come up with good ideas.

Worst Possible Idea Technique

1. Individually, write down the worst possible solution you can think of for the problem at hand.

2. Share your worst idea with the group.

3. Discuss the bad idea and try to find a kernel of good within it.

4. Use the bad idea as a springboard for more feasible and innovative solutions.

Tips for Using Bad Ideas

• Don't judge bad ideas.

• Encourage wild and crazy ideas.

• Build on bad ideas to generate good ideas.

• Use bad ideas to challenge assumptions and break free from conventional thinking.

• Remember that bad ideas can lead to breakthrough innovations.

Key Ideas from the Youtube video:

• The importance of observation: The text emphasizes that the art of diagnosis lies in the art of observation. Successful surgeons need to have keen eyes and be able to detect subtle changes in the patient's condition. Observations can facilitate clinical reasoning (Faustinella, 2020). 

• The need for experience and mentorship: The morning rounds provide a valuable opportunity for experienced physicians to impart their knowledge to the next generation. Young doctors learn from observing and interacting with their mentors.

• The importance of precision and decisiveness: In the operating room, surgeons need to make quick and precise decisions. Every second counts, and there is no room for error.

• The need for a deep understanding of the human body: Surgeons need to have a comprehensive understanding of anatomy and physiology in order to perform complex procedures safely and effectively.

• The importance of teamwork: Surgery is a team effort, and surgeons need to be able to work effectively with other medical professionals.

The Art of Surgical Diagnosis and Technique

ChatGPT review of the video 

Mastering the Morning Rounds

In the hushed corridors of the hospital, where the morning sun cast long shadows, a dedicated team of medical professionals gathered for the morning rounds. Among them was Lancelot, the vigilant guardian of health, his eyes sharp and his demeanour stern. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic, and the promise of another day filled with the challenges of surgery hung in the balance.

The Perils of Surgical Expertise

Amidst the exchange of pleasantries, a senior physician with an aura of authority inquired about the day's schedule of procedures. His words carried the weight of experience as he contemplated the daunting task ahead. The mention of a recent gastrectomy performed by one of the doctors hung in the air, shrouded in uncertainty. The room fell silent, the unspoken question lingering - was the procedure successful?

The Art of Observation

With the young doctors gathered around, the seasoned physician imparted a timeless wisdom - the essence of diagnosis lies in the art of observation. "Eyes first and most, hands next, and tongue not at all," he emphasised, his words resonating with the gravity of the profession. The young minds absorbed his teachings, understanding that to be a successful surgeon, one needed the eye of a hawk, the heart of a lion, and the hands of a lady.

Decoding the Human Canvas

As the discussion delved deeper into the intricacies of surgery, the focus shifted to the human canvas, the body that surgeons meticulously navigate. With a sense of purpose, the physician elucidated the nuances of the surgical procedure. "Cut it out," he declared, his voice unwavering. The room buzzed with anticipation, for in the world of surgery, decisions had to be swift and precise.

The Bleeding Time Dilemma

Amidst the technical jargon, a critical question arose - the concept of bleeding time. The physician's voice cut through the air, demanding attention. He quizzed the assembly, challenging their knowledge. "What's the bleeding time?" he asked, his gaze piercing. The room held its breath, and a voice replied, "At ten past 10, sir." The significance of those words echoed, a reminder that every second counted in the realm of surgery.

The morning rounds serve as a canvas where experienced physicians impart invaluable knowledge to the next generation. The art of surgical diagnosis and technique requires more than just technical expertise - it demands keen observation, unwavering determination, and a deep understanding of the human body. As young doctors absorb the wisdom of their mentors, they step into a world where every decision, every cut, and every suture can mean the difference between life and death. The operating room, a theatre of precision, awaits their skilled hands and discerning eyes, for in the delicate dance of surgery, mastery lies not just in the hands that wield the scalpel but in the minds that comprehend the intricacies of the human form.

Related ideas 

Pardoxes and oxymorons 

References and bibliography

Darbyshire, D., Baker, P., 2012. A systematic review and thematic analysis of cinema in medical education. Medical Humanities 38, 28–33. https://doi.org/10.1136/medhum-2011-010026

Drife, J.O., 2007. Doctor in the House. BMJ 334, 159–159. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39091.730000.59

Faustinella, F., 2020. The power of observation in clinical medicine. Int J Med Educ 11, 250–251. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.5fb9.1c9b

To Build a Culture of Experimentation, Start With Bad Ideas | IDEO [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://www.ideo.com/journal/to-build-a-culture-of-experimentation-start-with-bad-ideas (accessed 11.8.23).

Trimble, M., 2015. The Thinking Doctor’s Ward Round. Ulster Med J 84, 3–7.

What is Worst Possible Idea? — updated 2023 [WWW Document], n.d. . The Interaction Design Foundation. URL https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/worst-possible-idea (accessed 11.8.23).