Premier Principles
Premier: first in importance, order, or position; leading
Principia: first principles; fundamental beginnings; elements; as in Newton's Principia.
Methods of Innovation:
SCAMPER -- Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to Another Use, Eliminate, Reverse
Five W's and How -- Ask the questions Why, What, When, Where, Who and How
SWOT Analysis -*- A strategic planning tool that is used to identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) of an organization, product, or project. The purpose of a SWOT analysis is to provide a comprehensive overview of the internal and external factors that can affect the success of a project or the performance of an organization.
First Principles -*- Method of reasoning and problem-solving that is based on breaking down complex problems into their fundamental building blocks or components. The idea behind First Principles is to understand the underlying principles and axioms that govern a system, rather than relying on assumptions, rules of thumb, or conventional wisdom.
Systems Theory -- A holistic approach to understanding complex systems and their interactions. It is a interdisciplinary field of study that encompasses ideas and concepts from mathematics, physics, biology, sociology, and other fields. Systems Theory is based on the idea that complex systems are composed of interconnected parts that work together to produce a specific outcome. It seeks to understand the relationships between the parts of a system and how they interact with each other to produce the overall behavior of the system.
Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) -- Developed by a Russian engineer named Genrich Altshuller in the 1940s and 1950s. Altshuller was interested in understanding why some inventors were more successful than others, and he spent many years studying patents and the work of successful inventors.
TOP-TRIZ vs TRIZ (standard) -- The main advantage of TOP-TRIZ over standard TRIZ is its simplified and more intuitive approach to problem solving. TOP-TRIZ is based on a reduced set of TRIZ principles and uses a straightforward, step-by-step process to guide users through the innovation process.
Systematic Inventive Thinking (SIT) -- Substitute, Task Unification, Attribute Dependency, Multiplication, Division
Unified Structured Inventive Thinking (USIT) -- Define the Problem, Generate Solutions, Evaluate Solutions, Implement Solutions
Algorithm of Inventive Problem Solving (ASIT) -*- A more structured and systematic approach to innovation that is based on a set of specific rules and procedures
Gamification -*- The use of game design elements and principles in non-game contexts to drive engagement, motivate behavior, and solve problems. The idea behind gamification is to make tasks and activities more enjoyable and appealing by adding elements of play, such as competition, rewards, and progress tracking.
Design Thinking -- A human-centered approach to problem solving and innovation. It is a methodology that emphasizes empathy, experimentation, and iteration in the development of new products, services, and experiences.
The Lean Canvas -*- A tool for developing and documenting business models that is designed to help entrepreneurs and startups validate their ideas quickly and efficiently. The Lean Canvas consists of a one-page business plan that can be easily updated as the business evolves. It is divided into nine blocks that capture the key elements of a business model
Change Knowledge Theory (CK-Theory) -*- Iterative process of perception, cognitive processing, physical action, and reflection that is designed to help individuals and organizations continuously improve their creative and innovative abilities.
Morphological Analysis -*- Based on the idea that problems can be solved by breaking them down into their component parts and examining each part in detail. By using Morphological Analysis, individuals and organizations can gain a deeper understanding of complex problems and develop new and innovative solutions that would not be immediately apparent through conventional thinking.
Lateral Thinking -*- Designed to encourage individuals and organizations to think outside of the box and generate new and innovative ideas. The method consists of several techniques, including random word association, the reversal of assumptions, and the deliberate manipulation of perspectives.
Functional Analysis -*- Functional analysis is a systematic approach used to understand the functions of a system or a process, breaking it down into its fundamental elements to comprehend how it operates and achieves its objectives. It involves identifying the specific tasks or roles that the system performs and analyzing how these functions interact to accomplish the system's overall goals.
There are numerous problem-solving and innovation methodologies. Here are several others:
Six Sigma: A data-driven problem-solving methodology. The goal is to improve processes by identifying and removing the causes of defects.
Lean: A methodology focusing on reducing waste within a process, and continuously improving the process to provide value to the customer.
Design Thinking: A user-centered approach to innovation that integrates the needs of people, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements for business success.
Kaizen: A Japanese methodology for continuous improvement in all aspects of business, from manufacturing to management and the boardroom.
PDSA (Plan, Do, Study, Act): This iterative four-step management method is used for the control and continuous improvement of processes and products.
8D Problem Solving: An approach used to identify, correct, and eliminate recurring problems, often used in manufacturing and production.
Brainstorming: A group creativity technique by which efforts are made to find a conclusion for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its members.
SWOT Analysis: A simple but useful framework used to analyze an organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It helps you to build on what you do well, to address what you're lacking, to minimize risks, and to take the greatest possible advantage of chances for success.
Pareto Analysis (80/20 rule): A decision-making technique that uses the Pareto Principle – the idea that by doing 20% of the work, 80% of the advantage of doing the entire job can be generated.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA): A method of problem-solving used for identifying the root causes of faults or problems.
Value Stream Mapping: A lean-management method for analyzing the current state and designing a future state for the series of events that take a product or service from the beginning of the specific process until it reaches the customer.
Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving: Also known as CPS, this integrated approach includes both problem definition and idea creation for problem-solving and decision-making.
Lateral Thinking: A technique coined by Edward de Bono, which involves looking at problems from a new or unique viewpoint.
Remember that each of these methodologies has its strengths and weaknesses and is more or less suitable depending on the specific situation and context.
Lateral Thinking
is a method of problem-solving that involves looking at a problem from different perspectives and using creative approaches to generate novel solutions. The term was coined by Edward de Bono in the 1960s, and it's often associated with "thinking outside the box."
Lateral thinking contrasts with traditional vertical thinking, which is a more analytical, logical, and step-by-step approach. Vertical thinking seeks to solve problems by building upon existing knowledge and ideas, while lateral thinking seeks to break free from these constraints to find completely new ideas.
While there isn't a strict step-by-step process for lateral thinking like there is for some other problem-solving methodologies, here are some of the key techniques associated with it:
1. Provocation
Lateral thinking often starts with a provocative statement that challenges the current way of thinking. This could be something that is clearly wrong or impossible, but it's used as a stepping stone to reach new ideas.
2. Random Entry
The random entry technique involves introducing a completely unrelated word or idea to stimulate new ways of thinking. This helps break out of habitual thinking patterns and can lead to innovative solutions.
3. Challenge Assumptions
One of the biggest obstacles to creative thinking is our own assumptions. Lateral thinking encourages questioning and challenging these assumptions to view the problem from new angles.
4. Conceptual Blending
This technique involves taking elements from different contexts and blending them together. By combining unrelated concepts, you can often come up with new and innovative ideas.
5. Reversal Method
The reversal method involves reversing the problem or situation to see it from a completely different perspective. This might mean looking at the problem backwards, inverting the problem, or considering the opposite.
By using these and other techniques, lateral thinking can help generate innovative solutions that might not be discovered through more traditional problem-solving methods.