To solve problems through an indirect and creative approach.
- 方法: 经济学, 人体工程学
Lateral Thinking

Lateral Thinking
- 敏捷方法论, 集思广益, 持续改进, 创造力, 跨职能合作, 设计思维, 创新, 解决问题的技巧, 以使用者為中心的設計
目标
如何使用
- A way of thinking that involves looking at a problem from a different perspective and coming up with new and creative solutions. It is often used in brainstorming and problem-solving to break out of conventional thinking patterns.
优点
- Can lead to innovative and breakthrough solutions; Encourages creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.
缺点
- Can be difficult to apply in a structured way; The results can be unpredictable.
类别
- 构思, 解决问题
最适合:
- Solving complex problems that require a creative and unconventional approach.
Incorporating lateral thinking within the design phase of product development can significantly enhance innovation in various industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare, and software engineering, where traditional approaches often fall short of addressing multifaceted challenges. For instance, when designing a user-friendly interface for mobile applications, lateral thinking can enable teams to discard conventional design patterns and explore alternative navigation methods that better meet user needs. Participants typically include cross-functional teams comprising designers, engineers, marketers, and end-users, facilitating diverse viewpoints that spur creativity. This methodology can be brilliantly applied during brainstorming sessions, prototyping, or even while assessing existing products for improvement. Techniques like random word association or role reversal can be employed to disrupt routine cognitive patterns and stimulate fresh ideas. Industries that prioritize innovation, such as technology startups or sustainable design, may particularly benefit from adopting these methods, as they encourage exploration beyond established frameworks, potentially leading to revolutionary products and services. Workshops dedicated to lateral thinking can serve as platforms for teams to collaboratively advance ideas, share insights, and generate solutions that would not emerge from standard analytical thinking approaches, fostering a culture of creativity and resilience in problem-solving.
该方法的关键步骤
- Identify the problem: Frame the challenge clearly without assumptions.
- Generate ideas: Use techniques like brainstorming or random entry to spur creative thinking.
- Challenge assumptions: Examine and question established beliefs related to the problem.
- Explore alternatives: Consider various perspectives and solutions that diverge from the norm.
- Combine ideas: Look for opportunities to merge different concepts for new solutions.
- Develop scenarios: Create hypothetical situations to explore outcomes of various ideas.
- Refine solutions: Critically evaluate ideas and improve them for feasibility and impact.
专业提示
- Use random prompts or stimuli unrelated to the problem to create unexpected connections and spark innovative ideas.
- Encourage "provocation" techniques by deliberately stating the opposite of common assumptions to challenge existing beliefs and stimulate fresh ideas.
- Incorporate role-playing scenarios, asking team members to adopt different viewpoints, to uncover hidden needs or alternatives in design and engineering processes.
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