Lateral thinking

Thank You Mr. Sameer Tungare for giving us the opportunity to work on this project.

Acknowledgement

Lateral thinking is a term coined by Edward de Bono.

First appeared in the title of de Bono’s book New Think: The Use of Lateral Thinking , in year 1967

It is about reasoning that is not immediately obvious.

Introduction

“You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper”

“Lateral thinking is for changing concepts and perceptions”

Definition of Lateral Thinking

Edward de Bono was born in Malta on 19 May 1933.

He is a physician, author, inventor and consultant.

He has had a major impact on the way we think and particularly in the field of creativity.

Edward de Bono coined the phrase lateral thinking.

According to him lateral thinking is, “creativity involves braking out of established patters in order to look at things in a different way”

Edward De Bono

Dr. de Bono meant to differentiate lateral thinking.

Dr. de Bono has created several techniques to help apply lateral thinking to solve problem .

They are as follows :-

1. Think of as many different alternatives for solving a problem as you possibly can.

2. Challenge any assumptions you may have about your problem; and insert random elements which will encourage you to look at the problem from a different and unexpected perspective.

Assumptions are mental shortcuts.

In order to challenge your assumptions, write down all of the dominant ideas.

Apply to a particular situation and then deliberately challenge them.

Challenge your assumption

Random word

False rule

Introduce random elements

Idea generating tools

Provocation idea generation tool.

Radom entry idea generating tool.

Challenge idea generation tool.

1. A trip in car.

2. Concept combination.

3. Change of perspective.

Problem solving

Lateral thinking puzzle

Six Thinking Hats' is an important and powerful technique.

This forces you to move outside your habitual thinking style, and helps you to get a more rounded view of a situation.

It has the benefit of blocking the confrontations that happen when people with different thinking styles discuss the same problem.

Each 'Thinking Hat' is a different style of thinking.

Six thinking hats

White hat•Focus on data available•Look at the information you have.

Red hat•Look at the decision using intuition, gut reaction, emotion.• Also try to think how other people will react emotionally.

Black hat• Look at all the bad points of the decision. •Look at it cautiously and defensively.

Yellow hat•Helps you to think positively.•It is the optimistic viewpoint that helps you to see all the benefits of the decision and the value in it.

Green hat•The Green Hat stands for creativity.•This is where you can develop creative solutions to a problem.

Blue hat•The Blue Hat stands for process control.•This is the hat worn by people chairing meetings.

Six hats can be used in meetings or for oneself.

In meetings it has the benefits of defusing the disagreements that can happen when people with different thinking styles discuss the same problem

Looks at problems from the point of view of different professionals.

Conclusion