CREATIVE THINKING

based on lateral thinking concepts based on lateral thinking concepts

developed bydeveloped by

Edward de BonoEdward de Bono

IntroductionIntroduction• Lack of creativity in society - indicators

• Engineers are not creative– temperament– measurables– risk management– competence

• The origin of thinking- escape or attack

ROOTS:Development of technology and intelligence

Topics of DiscussionTopics of Discussion• Barriers to creativity

– Misconceptions

• Perceptions– Logic of creativity

• Need for creativity• Techniques to be more creative• Exercises

Barriers to CreativityBarriers to Creativity

• Curse of the Terrible Three– Socrates - argument– Plato - truth– Aristotle - generalize

• Misconceptions– Art is always creative– Creativity is a talent– School performance– IQ is HP - repartee

- 2 finger typing

Groove thinkingGroove thinking

•Zombie•“What is” vs. “What could be”•Crossing Barriers Provocative operations

– square wheels– landing plane

PerceptionsPerceptions•Thinking process

Perception Process•90% of errors•Math, Stat, Comp, Logic

• IT is readily available THINKING IS SCARCE!

ExamplesExamples

– Violin– TV host– Releasing wood block– Coins

Need for CreativityNeed for Creativity

• Innovation - competency• Technology lacks in value• Input-time efficiency• Examples

– Make rectangles– Communication

ExerciseExercise

– How to reduce gasoline consumption by any means

Supporting information Supporting information and examplesand examples

–Oil wells–Life insurance–Olympics–Blood flow in lungs–Parallel thinking

Techniques of CreativityTechniques of Creativity• Asymmetry of thinking

– Leaf on tree – Hindsight– Humor - golf clubs– Blowing balloons

• Overcoming hurdles– Skew pathways - walk for a change

Techniques to overcome Techniques to overcome obstaclesobstacles

– Random provocation– Creative pausing– Challenge– Alternatives– Concepts– Six thinking hats– Stratals– Filaments

ProvocationProvocation• Close the letter after mailing• Peer exams• Die before you die• Criminals pay the police force• Shoplifters identify themselves• Plane waits for you• More room on airplane

Random ProvocationRandom ProvocationPick a random word or concept

and link

Example – parking Link to…

Exercises

Examples and ExercisesExamples and Exercises

• Advertising - town crier

• Industry - compliance with discharge regulations

• Redesign umbrella• Taxi knows the way

• Chicken and dog - fence, food

• Reversal: air - cigarette - filter - lungs

• Prevent person to go from A to B

The REAL problemThe REAL problem

• Automobiles – main problem in a city?

Example: Parking ProblemsExample: Parking Problems

Time value of hunting Risks Buy a spot? Tokyo

Buy a right? Singapore Buy it with the car? Toyota?

Concept FanConcept Fan

Hang something from ceiling• Ladder

• New concepts

- lengthen arm

- throw object

- use a stand instead

Example of the concept fan:Example of the concept fan:Coping with Water ShortageCoping with Water Shortage

• Reduce consumption Increase efficiency of use

• Reduce wastage• Discourage use• Getting to it: Education

• Increase supply • New sources• Recycling• Less wastage

• Do without• Stop water using

processes• Avoid need to use water• Use other fluid

• Use other fluid• Wastewater• Oil• Air

Nature of conceptsNature of conceptsWe are in the business of• selling gold-plated pens• selling writing instruments• selling prestige writing instruments• luxury personal items• luxury goods• selling whatever people want• making our directors happy• making profits

Gyro GearlooseGyro Gearloose

Name:   Gyro Gearloose Address:   He lives together with his Helper in a house or perhaps in his workshop in Duckburg. Born:   19?? on the Northside, Duckburg. First appearance:   1952 in Gladstone's Terrible Secret. Created by:   Carl Barks Father:   Fulton Gearloose Mother:   Unknown Siblings:   Unknown Spouse:   None Children:   None Other close relatives:   Ratchet Gearloose (grandfather).In some stories he has a nephew called Newton, but he don't exist in the Barks/Rosa Duck-universe. Occupation:   An intelligent, but not always successful inventor.

Gearloose InventionsGearloose Inventions

More ExercisesMore Exercises• Urgent parking

• Urgent telephones

• Page numbering

• Shape of glasses

More ExercisesMore Exercises• Ballpoint and gravity

• Cut square in 4 pieces

• Water shortage

• Construction drill

Parallel Thinking – 6 HatsParallel Thinking – 6 Hats

Obtain facts

Feelings

Disadvantages

Creative thinking

Overview

Benefits

Com Assignment 2Com Assignment 2• Groups to have their inaugural meeting• Discuss the idea of a better intercity transportation

system across the US (or the world) in any form• How could this be modified to make it sustainable?• Alternative solution?• Use all the techniques as learned,

particularly the 6 hats• Joint report (1-2p) by September 7th

Hard copy to instructor

Report Format, Assignment 2Report Format, Assignment 2

• Names in group and group number

• Opening statement and problem

• Questions addressed

• Ideas generated under each hat

• Mention technique used to generate idea

• Final recommendation

Assignment for bonus pointsAssignment for bonus points

• Create a joke of your own• Consider some de Bono techniques in doing this• By preference, the joke should be based on

wordplay, e.g. double meanings or similar sounding words

• Submit at any time, before November 30, directly to instructor by e-mail for a maximum of 5 points

• Statement on authenticity to be included

Some solutions to Exercise on Some solutions to Exercise on adding numbers 1-100adding numbers 1-100

• One way would be to plot the series of numbers as x from 1 to 100 and showing the value as y 1 to 100. To form a triangle, we need to start at 0, so we have 101 numbers. The sum of the numbers is the integral of the triangle, i.e. ½ basis x height, i.e. 50.5 x 100 = 5050.

• The average value is ½(1 + 100) = 50.5

For 100 numbers, the sum is 50.5 x 100 = 5050

Introduction 1Introduction 1

COM ASSIGNMENT 1 Nathan A. Ross • [Background] In today’s fast-paced world, citizens

demand convenient transportation routes. In the cities of East Moline, Illinois, and Bettendorf, Iowa, this demand is not being met. Citizens traveling from one city to the other must drive an unnecessary 20 minutes just to cross the Mississippi River.

• [Aim] This transportation predicament can be alleviated with the construction of a bridge spanning between the two cities.

• [Modus Operandi] The need for this bridge to be constructed will become apparent through a summary of traffic reports, government publications, and strong recommendations from the public.

Introduction 2Introduction 2

COM ASSIGNMENT 1 Ryan Anderson [opening statement] Speed limits on Iowa's

Interstates should be increased.[motivation] Traveling across the state is not

efficient. Improvements in transportation need to be made to meet the needs of society now, and in the future.

[modus operandi] Statistics and experiments compiled in this report will show that raising the speed limits will increase the efficiency and safety of our Interstates.

Introduction 3Introduction 3 COM ASSIGNMENT 1 Rachel Stearns (Background) When the Iowa State University

(ISU) campus was first laid out, the designers couldn't have anticipated the automobile congestion of today's fast paced society.

(Problem/aim) To help accommodate today's large student and faculty body, the school should develop more parking areas close to campus.

(Method of Approach)Through facts and figures provided by the ISU Department of Public Safety, the need for more parking will be shown. Designs from other universities will also be used to show better layout ideas.

Introduction 4Introduction 4

Com Assignment 1 Stephen Norton(Background) From the creation of automobiles and

manufacturing plants, human beings have been releasing harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.

(Problem) The releasing of these chemicals are having harsh effects in the areas of global warming, ultra violet radiation, and air pollution. Slowly these chemicals are increasing our planet’s temperature that is melting the polar ice caps, increasing the amount of ultra violet radiation that causesskin cancer, and increasing the amount of toxic pollutants in the air that cause health problems.

(Solution) Various studies, experiments, first hand accounts, and>interviews with experts will be used throughout this report to examine how the release of chemicals is having such harsh effects.