Alternatives Generation via Restatement
Restating a problem in multiple ways helps uncover different solutions by reframing the core challenge from various perspectives.
THE IDEA
Alternatives
1. Restatements
Restating a problem is a method for generating alternatives. By changing the wording or focus, you can uncover new approaches that might not be obvious from the original statement. For example, the problem "Preventing separation of children from parents" can be restated as:
- Preventing children being lost.
- Finding or returning lost children.
- Making it unnecessary for parents to have to take children into large crowds (crèches at exhibitions etc).
Each restatement suggests different strategies: the first focuses on preventing separation, the second on recovery systems, the third on eliminating the need for parent-child presence in risky environments.
When to use it
When stuck in a creative block, restate the problem from different stakeholder perspectives.
During team brainstorming sessions, encourage every member to restate the challenge before generating ideas.
In product development, use restatements to examine which user needs different formulations reveal or overlook.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Restating a public safety problem
Original: 'Reduce traffic accidents.' Restatements: 'Prevent vehicle collisions,' 'Minimize injury severity in crashes,' 'Encourage safer driving behavior,' 'Improve road infrastructure.' Each leads to different solutions (e.g., strict laws, safety features, education campaigns, road design).
Restating a business challenge
Original: 'Increase sales.' Restatements: 'Attract more customers,' 'Increase average purchase value,' 'Reduce customer churn,' 'Improve product visibility.' Different strategies emerge: marketing, upselling, retention programs, advertising.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a current problem you face. Write down three different restatements of it. How does each change the possible solutions?
When have you encountered a solution that was only obvious after someone reframed the problem?
Why might restating a problem be more effective than sticking to the original wording?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)