Why Techniques Are Needed for Idea Generation
"I can't come up with good ideas" is a concern many people have. However, idea generation is not an innate talent but a skill anyone can practice using appropriate methods.
Excellent ideas are born from new combinations of existing elements. Ideation methods are frameworks for efficiently exploring those combinations. By choosing appropriate techniques according to purpose and situation, you can improve both the quality and quantity of ideas.
Brainstorming
A group ideation method conceived by Alex Osborn in the 1930s. It's still one of the most widely used methods today.
4 Basic Rules:
- Defer judgment: Don't deny any ideas
- Encourage wild ideas: Welcome unconventional ideas
- Go for quantity: Prioritize quantity over quality
- Build on others' ideas: Piggyback and develop others' ideas
To increase effectiveness, it's important to clearly define the problem in advance and conduct with an appropriate number of people (about 5-7). Limit time to 20-30 minutes and have a phase at the end to organize and evaluate ideas.
When doing it alone, "brainwriting," where you write on paper, is effective.
Mind Mapping
A radial thinking visualization method systematized by Tony Buzan. Place the theme in the center and extend related concepts like branches.
Creation Steps:
- Write the main theme in the center (add a picture if possible)
- Extend main branches (major branches) radially
- Develop details with sub-branches
- Basic rule: one word per branch
- Use colors and illustrations
The advantage of mind mapping is that it follows the brain's natural thought patterns. Unlike linear lists, you can intuitively grasp relationships and hierarchical structures between concepts. It can be used in a wide range of situations including problem organization, learning, and presentation structuring.
SCAMPER Method
A technique for transforming existing ideas or products from seven perspectives. Developed by Bob Eberle who evolved Osborn's checklist.
7 Perspectives:
- Substitute: Can it be replaced with something else?
- Combine: Can it be combined with something else?
- Adapt: Can it be used for other purposes?
- Modify: Can the shape, color, or meaning be changed?
- Put to other uses: Are there other ways to use it?
- Eliminate: Can something be removed?
- Reverse/Rearrange: Can the order be changed?
Particularly effective when improving existing products or services. Generate multiple ideas for each perspective and select the most promising ones.
Forced Association Method
A technique that generates new ideas by forcibly connecting seemingly unrelated elements.
Practice Method:
- Set the problem you want to solve
- Prepare random words or images (open a dictionary, select a magazine photo, etc.)
- Find commonalities and relationships between the problem and random elements
- Develop new ideas from there
It's a method where unexpected ideas are likely to emerge that cannot be reached through logical thinking alone. Effective as a breakthrough when stuck.
Using Ideation Methods Effectively
Regardless of which technique you use, there are some common principles.
Keys to Success:
- Separate divergence and convergence (don't mix generating and selecting)
- Set time limits (utilize deadline effect)
- Prepare the environment (in a relaxing place)
- Generate quantity before questioning quality
- Step away and then review (incubation effect)
Also, rather than sticking to one method, combining multiple techniques according to the situation is effective. For example, you can organize the problem with a mind map first, then develop ideas with SCAMPER.
Summary
Idea generation is a learnable skill. Generate quantity with brainstorming, structure with mind mapping, transform existing things with SCAMPER, and find unexpected connections with forced association. By using these techniques according to the situation, you can greatly improve both the quality and quantity of ideas.
What's important is actually trying by moving your hands. Don't seek perfect ideas from the start; begin by generating quantity first.