Generating Alternatives
Deliberately generating multiple alternatives for their own sake, rather than seeking the best solution, to loosen rigid thinking and acquire the habit of restructuring patterns. An artificial quota is used to force exploration beyond initial satisfactory options.
THE IDEA
This exercise practices the deliberate generation of alternatives. This generation of alternatives is for its own sake and not as a search for the best way of looking at things. The best way may become obvious in the course of the procedure but one is not actually trying to find out. If one were just looking for the best approach then one would stop as soon as one found what appeared to be the best approach. Instead of stopping however one goes on with the generation of alternatives for its own sake. The purpose of the procedure is to loosen up rigid ways of looking at things, to show that alternative ways are always present if one bothers to look for them, and to acquire the habit of restructuring patterns.
It is probably better to use the artificial quota method rather than just rely on the general intention for trying to find other ways of looking at things. General intentions work well when things are easy but not when they are difficult. The quota sets a limit which must be met.
When to use it
Brainstorming sessions to overcome groupthink and encourage novel ideas.
When stuck on a complex problem, generating at least 10 possible root causes before analyzing any in depth.
In strategic planning, developing multiple future scenarios to avoid anchoring on a single forecast.
During design thinking ideation phases, using quotas to push beyond the first few solutions.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Marketing Brainstorming
A marketing team is tasked with generating campaign ideas. Instead of stopping after a few good ones, they set a quota of 20 ideas, forcing the team to move beyond obvious concepts and explore creative alternatives.
Product Use Cases
During a product development meeting, the team uses a quota of 10 different use cases for a new technology. This prevents them from fixating on the first application and uncovers novel ways the technology could be used.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How often do you stop searching for alternatives once you find a seemingly satisfactory solution? What might you miss by not going further?
Think of a recent decision where you assumed there was a single right way. How could deliberately generating alternatives have changed the outcome?
Set an artificial quota for alternatives in your next creative or planning session. How does the pressure to meet the quota change your thinking process?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)