Entry Point Thinking
A heuristic for problem-solving that involves deliberately considering different starting points or perspectives to address a problem, rather than tackling it head-on in the obvious way.
THE IDEA
Practice
- Identify entry points
An article discussing a particular problem is read out or given to the students. They are asked to list possible entry points for tackling the problem. They are also asked to define the entry point used by the writer of the article. For instance in an article on world hunger the writer might have chosen the wastage of food in some countries as his entry point, or he might have chosen overpopulation or inefficient agriculture. From the results the teacher lists the possible entry points that have been suggested and adds other ones.
- Entry points for assorted problems
A list of problems is written up on the blackboard and the students are asked in open class to volunteer different entry points for each of the problems. Each student offering a suggestion is asked to elaborate it briefly.
Possible problems might include:
- The making of synthetic foods.
- The acceptance of synthetic foods.
- A better design for a sausage.
- The problem of stray dogs.
- An easy method for cleaning windows.
- Same problem, different entry points
This could be done by individuals or as a group activity. The same problem is set for all the groups but each group is given a different entry point. At the end a spokesman for each group discusses how they used the entry point in each group. The point to watch here is that the group really does use the entry point. There is a temptation to consider the problem in the obvious way and then just to connect up the entry point with this obvious way.
When to use it
Brainstorming sessions where a team deliberately explores different angles on a challenge.
Educational settings to teach critical thinking and perspective-taking.
Strategic planning to avoid fixation on a single approach.
Personal decision-making when feeling stuck on a problem.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
World Hunger
When discussing world hunger, different entry points could include food wastage, overpopulation, or inefficient agriculture. Each entry point leads to different solutions.
Stray Dogs Problem
For the problem of stray dogs, entry points might include animal control, public education, or sterilization programs.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
What are the various entry points you can identify for a current problem you are facing?
How does the choice of entry point influence the range of possible solutions?
Think of a problem that is typically approached in one way. Can you find an alternative entry point that leads to a novel solution?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)