Answer to Question #278397 in History for Kelsey Jand

Question

How could you implement Osborne’s Checklist For Transforming Ideas in an art project on imperialism?

Answer 1

Osborn's Checklist is an ideation technique created by brainstorming guru Alex Osborn, that combines/alters existing elements to synthesize new ideas. The checklist has six categories: modify, combine, rearrange, substitute, minimize, and magnify.

A series of simple questions, which can be used either individually or in groups, designed to support creative and divergent thinking when faced by a design problem. The questions need a point of focus, which could either be an existing solution or proposed concepts to a design problem. The questions should be taken one at a time, to explore new ways and approaches to the problem.

 

In a brainstorming session, it can be useful to write each statement on a card, and randomly select a card when discussing alternative solutions. Alternatively, paste the questions onto a board and place in the design team's environment.

 

For Alex F. Osborn, the originator of the classical brainstorming technique, building upon ideas already suggested was an important factor of successful brainstorming. This technique is based on playfully and systematically modifying existing products or processes and finding alternatives to the original solution/process/product/situation.

Why is it helpful to look for such alternatives?

a) One of the alternative ideas may solve your problem.

b) An alternative idea may help you rearrange the components of your problem, thereby solving it indirectly.

c) The alternative might prove to be a better starting point.

d) One alternative might be a breakthrough idea that has nothing to do with the problem at hand.