Fractionation
Fractionation is a lateral thinking technique for breaking a familiar pattern into smaller parts and trying new combinations. The parts can overlap or be incomplete; their purpose is to help generate alternatives.
THE IDEA
Fractionation
Fractionation breaks a familiar pattern into smaller parts that can be rearranged. It gives you material for trying alternatives when simply intending to think differently is not enough.
De Bono describes established mental patterns as becoming more unified and harder to change. A situation that once needed several words may acquire a single label, and we stop noticing its components. His analogy is a child given a completed doll’s house compared with one given building blocks: separate pieces allow more arrangements.
Consider an L-shaped figure made from three equal squares. The task is to divide it into four pieces identical in size and shape. Dividing each square into four smaller squares produces twelve units, which can be grouped into four matching small Ls within the original outline. The smaller units make a division easier to find. Likewise, subdividing a square into sixteen smaller squares offers more ways to look for four congruent pieces than starting with a single straight cut.
The fractions need not form a complete description. They can overlap, and some may be arbitrary. What matters is whether separating and recombining them helps you see a different arrangement.
For the problem “transport by bus,” a fractionation might include:
- Choice of route
- Frequency
- Convenience
- Number of people using the service
- Number of people using the service at different times
- Size of bus
- Economics of use and cost
- Alternative transport
- Number of people who would have to use the bus and number who would like to use it if it were running
Convenience overlaps with route and frequency; cost overlaps with passenger numbers and bus size. Those overlaps are acceptable. Each fraction gives you something to vary or combine with another, such as matching bus size and frequency to demand at different times. You can try an incomplete breakdown and revise it as ideas emerge.
When to use it
When stuck on a complex problem, break it into its constituent parts and reassemble them differently.
Separate a market into purchasing occasions, distribution channels, and reasons for buying to explore alternatives to established customer segments.
In creative writing, break down a story into scenes and rearrange them for a new narrative.
In science, break down a theory into its assumptions to explore alternative explanations.
Brainstorming new features for a product by fractionating the product usage into arbitrary categories.
Improving a service by fractionating the customer experience into parts like arrival, waiting, service, payment.
Solving a team conflict by fractionating the interactions into communication, expectations, roles.
Designing a lesson plan by fractionating the learning objectives into parts like content, activity, assessment.
Reframe an expansion plan by separating geography, customer needs, and delivery methods.
Overcoming design fixation in product development.
Facilitating brainstorming workshops where participants feel stuck on a single definition of the problem.
Separate a recurring disagreement into questions about timing, responsibilities, and resources to see where different agreements are possible.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Dividing an L-shape
For an L made from three equal squares, subdivide each square into four smaller squares. The resulting units can be grouped into four matching L-shaped pieces that fit inside the original outline.
Dividing a square
Subdividing a square into sixteen smaller squares gives you units to group into four congruent pieces. This can suggest divisions beyond the obvious straight cuts.
Fractionation for Bus Transport
For bus transport, list aspects such as route, frequency, convenience, passenger numbers, bus size, cost, and alternatives. Some overlap: frequency affects convenience, and bus size affects cost. Separating them still makes it easier to try different service arrangements.
Product Design Brainstorming
A design team is stuck on improving a smartphone. Using fractionation, they break the phone into arbitrary fragments like 'screen', 'battery', 'camera', 'user interface' — not to analyze each perfectly but to generate ideas for novel combinations, such as a modular camera that docks separately.
Conflict Resolution
In a workplace dispute, a mediator applies fractionation by asking each party to list a few aspects of the conflict (e.g., timing, tone, resources). These fragments are not exhaustive but help reframe the problem from a single narrative to multiple angles, enabling new solutions.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you break down a current problem into smaller fractions to find new perspectives?
What established patterns in your thinking might be preventing you from seeing alternatives?
Can you think of a situation where fractionation helped restructure a problem?
Choose a familiar object. Which functions could you separate and recombine?
What fractions can you generate for a common activity like writing an email or planning a meeting?
Using the bus example, which two overlapping aspects could you vary together to suggest a different service?
Which two fractions from your own list might form an unexpected combination?
What is a fixed pattern in your work or life that might benefit from fractionation? List three incomplete fractions of that pattern.
How does fractionation differ from analysis in terms of goals and outcomes? Can you recall a situation where analysis led to a dead end but fractionation might have helped?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)