Osborn ChecklistOsborn Checklist

Paul MorrisPaul Morris

CIS144CIS144

Problem Solving Problem Solving MethodologiesMethodologies

Method SummaryMethod Summary

Start the flow of ideas by using the Start the flow of ideas by using the techniques of Vertical Thinking.techniques of Vertical Thinking.

In vertical thinking you build on the ideas In vertical thinking you build on the ideas already generated by free association.  For already generated by free association.  For example, choose one of the ideas and ask example, choose one of the ideas and ask some of the questions from Osborn's check some of the questions from Osborn's check list.  For example, how could I make it list.  For example, how could I make it bigger or smaller? How could I rearrange bigger or smaller? How could I rearrange the idea or substitute for part of the idea.  A the idea or substitute for part of the idea.  A complete checklist is shown on next slide.complete checklist is shown on next slide.

The ChecklistThe Checklist

Adapt?....Adapt?....How can This (product, idea, How can This (product, idea, plan, etc.) be used as is? What are plan, etc.) be used as is? What are other uses it could be adapted to?other uses it could be adapted to?

Modify?....Modify?....Change the meaning, Change the meaning, material, color, shape, odor, etc.?material, color, shape, odor, etc.?

Magnify?....Magnify?....Add new ingredient? Make Add new ingredient? Make longer, stronger, thicker, higher, etc.? longer, stronger, thicker, higher, etc.?

Minify?....Minify?....Split up? Take something out? Split up? Take something out? Make lighter, lower, shorter, etc.? Make lighter, lower, shorter, etc.?

The Checklist (continued)The Checklist (continued)Substitute?.....Substitute?.....Who else, where else or Who else, where else or

what else? Other ingredient, material, what else? Other ingredient, material, or approach?or approach?

Rearrange?....Rearrange?....Interchange parts? Other Interchange parts? Other patterns, layouts? Transpose cause and patterns, layouts? Transpose cause and effect? Change positives to negatives? effect? Change positives to negatives? Reverse roles? Turn it backwards or Reverse roles? Turn it backwards or upside down? Sort?upside down? Sort?

Combine?....Combine?....Combine parts, units, ideas? Combine parts, units, ideas? Blend? Compromise? Combine from Blend? Compromise? Combine from different categories?different categories?

Try It OutTry It OutImagine that you have been given the task of

designing safe playground equipment entirely out of old cars. How would you

approach this problem creatively?

Checklist Creative AnalysisChecklist Creative Analysis

Adapt:Adapt: Take the hood off and use it as a Take the hood off and use it as a toboggan in winter toboggan in winter

ModifyModify Remove the engines and side Remove the engines and side panels and make go-cartspanels and make go-carts

Magnify:Magnify: Over inflate the inner tubes from Over inflate the inner tubes from the tires and use them to create a the tires and use them to create a "romper room"/jumping pit."romper room"/jumping pit.

Minify:Minify: Crush the cars into cubes and Crush the cars into cubes and allow the kids to climb on the allow the kids to climb on the blocksblocks

Checklist Creative AnalysisChecklist Creative Analysis

Substitute:Substitute: Use the car's seats in Use the car's seats in swingsswings

Rearrange:Rearrange: Turn the car upside Turn the car upside down and use it as a down and use it as a teeter-totterteeter-totter

CombineCombine Use the side panels or Use the side panels or roof to make a huge roof to make a huge canopy or fortcanopy or fort

Another PerspectiveAnother Perspective Think about walking around on your knees; Think about walking around on your knees;

how would this change your perspective--how would this change your perspective--that is, imagine the playground from a that is, imagine the playground from a child's height.child's height.

What was your favorite playground toy? How What was your favorite playground toy? How could this be mimicked with used auto parts?could this be mimicked with used auto parts?

Example: Example: from a child's viewpoint, the from a child's viewpoint, the intact car would be an exciting change to intact car would be an exciting change to pretend to be a "grown-up." Just take off the pretend to be a "grown-up." Just take off the doors and remove other equipment doors and remove other equipment (electrical, etc.) and let the kids pretend to (electrical, etc.) and let the kids pretend to drive. Just leave the car as it is!drive. Just leave the car as it is!

Random StimulationRandom StimulationRandom Stimulation is a technique which is especially useful if we are stuck or in a rut.  It is a way of generating totally different ideas than previously considered and can "jump start" the idea generation process and get it out of whatever current rut it may be in. Random Stimulation makes use of a random piece of information (perhaps a word culled from the dictionary or a book, or a random finger placement on one of the words in the newspaper.) This word is used to act as a trigger or switch to change the patterns of thought when a mental roadblock occurs.  The random word can be used to generate other words that can stimulate the flow of ideas.Example: Our finger fell on the word "document" in a newspaper.