Explain three techniques for stimulating creativity to generate better ideas.
Answer: The following are some of the techniques. Students may explain any three of these techniques.
• Attribute listing: List the attributes of an object, such as a screwdriver. Then modify each attribute, such as replacing the wooden handle with plastic, providing torque power, adding different screw heads, and so on.
• Forced relationships: List several ideas and consider each in relationship to each of the others.
• Morphological analysis: Start with a problem, such as "getting something from one place to another via a powered vehicle." Now think of dimensions, such as the type of platform (cart, chair, sling, bed), the medium (air, water, oil, rails), and the power source (compressed air, electric motor, magnetic fields). By listing every possible combination, you can generate many new solutions.
• Reverse assumption analysis: List all the normal assumptions about an entity and then reverse them. Instead of assuming that a restaurant has menus, charges for food, and serves food, reverse each assumption.
• New contexts: Take familiar processes, such as people-helping services, and put them into a new context.
• Mind mapping: Start with a thought, such as a car, write it on a piece of paper, then think of the next thought that comes up (say Mercedes), link it to the car, then think of the next association (Germany), and do this with all associations that come up with each new word. Perhaps a whole new idea will materialize.