Eight Dimensions of Inventive Thinking

© Daniel Raviv, 1999-2009, all rights reserved

Summary

The eight-dimensional methodology for innovative problem solving is a unified approach that builds on comprehensive problem solving knowledge from industry, business, marketing, math, science, engineering, technology, arts, and daily life. The methodology approaches problems systematically, and stimulates innovation by quickly generating unique “out-of-the-box” unexpected and high-quality solutions. The combination of people’s knowledge and experience with this new thinking tool is a very promising one. The methodology provides top leaders, managers, and problem solvers with new insights and thinking strategies to solve everyday problems they face in the workplace.

The eight dimensions’ questions

Uniqueness

 

What is unique about the “processes, objects, dimensions, situations, resources, concepts, principles, features, patterns, problems, or solutions”? Could these observations be used to find solutions?

Dimensionality
What could be done with space, time, cost, color, temperature, or any other dimension?

 

Directionality
Could things be done from different directions or points of view? If so, how?

Consolidation
Would it be helpful to consolidate “processes, objects, dimensions, situations, resources, concepts, principles, features, patterns, problems, or solutions”? If so, in what way?

Segmentation
How could segmentation of “processes, objects, dimensions, situations, resources, concepts, principles, features, patterns, problems, solutions” or dimensions help?

 

Modification
What if modifications to the existing “processes, objects, dimensions, situations, resources, concepts, principles, features, patterns, problems, solutions” are introduced?

Similarity
Why not look at similar “processes, objects, dimensions, situations, resources, concepts, principles, features, patterns, problems, or solutions”?

Experimentation
Could estimating, guessing, simulating, or experimenting help? If so, how?

 

The 8D methodology:

·          Unifies  existing  problem  solving  knowledge, techniques  and  solutions  from  different  disciplines Engineering and technology, Inventions, Business and Marketing, Industry, Math and Science, Art, and Daily life. Well known methods like Analogy, TRIZ, SCAMPER, Lateral Thinking, etc. are embedded in it.

·         It is discipline independent. The nature of its construction implies that it can be used to generate ideas for problems from Engineering to Business to daily life.
Comprehensive and systematic thus allows anyone to be creative in the idea generation process, a key step in innovation.

• Stimulates thinking by focusing on eight different problem solving strategies… one at a time
• Generates many out-of-the-box & high quality ideas in a short period of time
  May be used by individuals/teams anytime. It is in particular useful in increasing efficiency in both quality and quantity of brainstorming and similar team setting methods.
• Reduces and even eliminates psychological inertia. 
• Easy to learn and to use. After all who wants to learn or use a complicated method?
  
  

It should be emphasized again that the methodology focuses ONLY on the process of idea generation step of the problem solving process.
In addition, it is important to clarify that it is not a problem-solving cookbook.

1. Uniqueness

 

1.1    Discover what does not change

Discover and use invariants

 

1.2    Compare characteristics/features

1.2.1 Look for and use unique /distinguishing features

1.2.2 Magnify the difference

 

1.3 Look for unique and ideal solutions

 

2. Dimensionality

 

2.1 Start with less

2.1.1 Solve a special case or several special cases

2.1.2 Simplify / reduce the problem / eliminate possibilities

2.1.3 Solve an easier related problem

2.1.4 Identify and solve sub-problems/ cases / goals

2.1.5 Explore / partition objectively

2.1.6 Start small and generalize

 

2.2 Start with more

2.2.1 Look at the global picture

2.2.2 Solve a more general/global case

2.2.3 Look for multiple solutions

2.2.4 Expand beyond your own discipline

2.2.5 Team-up

 

2.3 Manipulate time/space/cost dimensions and structure/topology/state

2.3.1 Take it to the extreme

2.3.2 Change spatial dimensions

2.3.3 Change temporal dimension

2.3.4 Observe upper and lower limits

2.3.5 Move it

2.3.6 Move back in time; reverse

2.3.7 Move forward in time

2.3.8 Combine operations in time

2.3.9 Add dimension

2.3.10 Eliminate dimension

2.3.11 Trade/exchange dimensions

2.3.12 Separate dimensions

2.3.13 Share dimensions

2.3.14 Compare dimensions

 

2.4 Reduce details

2.4.1 Look from far away

2.4.2 Move it fast

 

2.5 Duplicate it/ Repeat it

2.5.1 Copy and duplicate 

2.5.2 Continue useful actions

3. Directionality

 

3.1 Take it the other way around

3.1.1 Solve it indirectly

3.1.2 Use indirect measurement

3.1.3 Solve a complementary problem

3.1.4 Inverse it, solve the opposite

3.1.5 Turn it upside down

 

3.2 Direct it

3.2.1 Start backwards

3.2.2 Start forward

3.2.3 Start both ways

3.2.4 Start somewhere

3.2.5 Reverse roll

3.2.6 Go around

3.2.7 Rotate it

 

3.3 Change your point of view

3.3.1 Completely change your point of view

3.3.2 Add others’ points of view

 

 

4. Consolidation

 

4.1 Combine  

4.1.1 Combine and put together

4.1.2 Use many

 

4.2 Make it multi-purpose

4.3 Use multi-meaning/ ambiguity

5. Segmentation

 

5.1 Learn to share and manage resources

5.1.1 Use existing resources, objects, materials, energy sources, functions, information, space, time, budgets

5.1.2 Share in space and time

 

5.2 Segment/cut (in space/time)

5.2.1 Divide an object/concept/process into independent sections

5.2.2 Make an object sectional

5.2.3 Increase the degree of segmentation

5.2.4 Move one step at a time

5.2.5 Give a segment to an additional party

 

5.3 Separate

 

6. Modification

6.1 Rearrange

 

6.2 Extract/pull

6.2.1 Extract unnecessary elements

6.2.2 Extract/eliminate disturbing parts

6.2.3 Extract only the necessary part/property; use what’s needed.

6.2.4 Extract the obvious

6.2.5 Isolate

 

6.3 Substitute/exchange

6.3.1 Substitute

6.3.2 Reject and regenerate parts

6.3.3 Replace linear motion with rotational motion; utilize centrifugal force

6.3.4 Replace a system/process/product with another system/process/product

 

6.4 Add/ Subtract

6.4.1 Add process, material, fields, etc.

6.4.2 Subtract/omit

6.4.3 Increase the use of fields

6.4.4 Increase level of sophistication; make it better

 

6.5 Change

6.5.1 Change features

6.5.2 Transform physical or chemical states of an object

6.5.3 Add saturation/ hystheresis

6.5.4 Change order

6.5.5 Take overdone/underdone action

 

6.6 Self Modification

6.6.1 Convert harm into benefit

6.6.2 Use self service

6.6.3 Add/increase feedback

 

6.7 Add something in between

 

6.8 Localize

6.8.1 Focus on local quality

6.8.2 Use different parts to carry different functions

6.8.3 Place parts in most favorable conditions

 

6.9 Take partial or overdone action

 

6.10 Automate It

6.10.1 Add automation/ high-tech

6.10.2 Add more sensors

 

6.11 Purify / mix

 

6.12 Make it more personal

 

 

7. Similarity

 

7.1 Look for Pattern/Rule

7.1.1 Find, follow, and generalize the pattern

7.1.2 Duplicate and use ideas from nature

 

7.2 Look for and use analogy

7.2.1 Recall same or similar problem/goal

7.2.2 Recall a concept or a path of thought and adapt it

7.2.3 Recall and combine two or more other relevant ideas

7.2.4 Adapt an old/new principle to an old/new problem

7.2.5 Use metaphors and symbolic analogy

7.2.6 Use personal analogy

7.2.7 Imagine and approach the ideal solution

7.2.8 Associate

7.2.9 Imagine getting help from very little and powerful people

7.2.10 Blend with others’ points of view

7.2.11 Relate to a random word (v., n., adj.)

7.2.12 Relate to a well known process, product or service

7.2.13 Temporarily skip the problem

 

7.3 Make it similar

7.3.1 Use counterweight

7.3.2 Make it equal potential

7.3.3 Compare

7.3.4 Add/ use symmetry

7.3.5 Make it modular

7.3.6 Make the strange familiar

7.3.7 Make the familiar strange

7.3.8 Look for similar or different features

7.3.9 Watch for double meaning

7.3.10 Imitate

 

 

8. Experimentation

 

8.1 Work it out

8.1.1 Simulate and experiment

8.1.2 Try it out

 

8.2 Estimate/Guess

8.2.1 Estimate and check

8.2.2 Guess and test

8.2.3 Make a rough estimation

 

8.3 Be prepared for serendipity

8.3.1 Observe for serendipity

 

8.4 Temporarily skip the problem