Structured Thinking Walkthrough
It's a common misconception that some people are simply good under pressure while the rest of us remain tongue tied. Anyone can learn to be an on the spot thinker, it just takes practice.
Ideally you should practice with friends, classmates, or colleagues, since having a few people watching will help re-create the stressful presentation experience. You can also practice on your own, with for instance a video camera, to build up your confidence and creativity in a controlled environment, or simply when schedules don't line up.
Pick a Product
Pick anything you'd like to see improved. Since the goal is to expand your creativity, go ahead and pick something crazy; it's ok to have fun. We've picked "a new kind of piano" as an example product to walk you through this exercise.
Step One
The first step is to generate ideas. Similar to brainstorming or free association, work through the following ideas about the product you've picked to improve. We've answered using "a new kind of piano" as an example.
1. List common thoughts or problems associated with your product. Write down everything that comes to mind without filtering the results.
Possible answers would be that pianos are:
- The fragile keys make transportation difficult
2. Next to every problem list out the reverse; that is, to "break" the common notions. It may seem silly, but considering the opposite as a possibility is a great way to exercise the creative parts of your brain.
Opposites for our "piano" example could be:
3. Create a possible idea from each opposite. Even if it seems unworkable and bizarre, come up with something for each.
Ideas for the piano sample are:
- A key-less packable piano
Step Two
The second step is taking logic and coming up with real solutions to your creative answers from Step One.
1. "Screen" all of your ideas from the end of step one by thinking of a possible product.
From our sample three possible products would be:
- A miniature electronic piano geared towards children
- A key-less piano that rolls up, but runs on an electronic device (such as a tablet or smartphone)
- A real piano outfitted with an optional headset.
2. Using your knowledge, sort out the three ideas by their feasibility of production and market desirability. For example: it may be unlikely that your company can create an effective headset that could replicate all the warmth and tones produced by a real piano. However, you may be working for an electronic game company, and a piano app with an electronic roll out keyboard would be perfect. A lightweight piano for kids could also be a possibility; especially if you work for an electronic instrument manufacturer. For our example we'll pretend that we work for an electronic gaming company and we're going with a piano app plus roll up keyboard.
Step Three
In this step you will consolidate and challenge your best idea from Step Two using the following questions:
1. Consider the people you would present to in real life; for example your project manager, department head, or CEO. Consider the questions they would ask if their reaction to your project was negative, positive and mitigated.
- Negative: "Do you really think people will be interested in this?"
- Positive: "Great, do you have a projected budget?"
- Mitigated: "Is there any data on marketing?"
2. Answer each question. If you practice defending your answers to yourself and your practice buddies, even when they were for crazy ideas, in a real meeting situation you will be more confident and composed. Experienced "On the Spot" thinkers will be able to answer that the roll up piano is marketable as a popular app to business professionals with busy jobs that keep them tied to their desks, and can even be used during their commute.
The point of this exercise is not necessarily to create the next "it" item, it’s to help you think creatively and defend your ideas when put on the spot! Practice "on the spot thinking" often and you'll see immediate results in your work.
Credit Photo: Flickr
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