Methods that combine defining of problems, identification of patterns, generation of new ideas, and action planning to resolve problems with unique and innovative solutions.
Example: One “Brainstorming” exercise we use to “open” closed minds is to ask a Kaizen team to list ways they might retrieve a basketball from a rooftop.
Upon completion of this exercise we generally have a list of more than 100 very original ways to remove the ball from the roof. Although many of the methods would be extreme and not practical to employ, they serve as spring-boards to other ideas that may be highly creative and useful.
Getting ball off roof: Ladder, rake, helicopter, bb gun, slingshot, dynamite, trained pigeon, monkey, etc. This is a fun exercise that really helps people change the way they look at problem solving.