Problem Restatement and Alternative Approaches
This heuristic focuses on using everyday inconveniences or news items to generate alternative ways of stating a problem or finding different approaches to it, without necessarily solving it. The goal is to explore different perspectives on the problem situation.
THE IDEA
Problems
Problems can be generated from the inconveniences of everyday living or by looking through a newspaper. Newspaper columns are full of difficulties, disturbances, things that have gone wrong and complaints. Though these may not actually be stated as problems they can easily be rephrased as such. It is enough that a general problem theme be stated; there is no need to set up a formal problem. Any situation where there is room for improvement can be used as a problem and also any difficulty that can be imagined.
In using problem material to exercise the generation of alternatives one may proceed in two ways:
-
Generate alternative ways of stating the problem.
-
Generate alternative approaches to the problem.
The emphasis is not on actually trying to solve the problem but on finding different ways of looking at the problem situation. One may go on towards a solution but this is not essential.
When to use it
Product development: Reframe customer complaints as opportunities for innovation by stating the problem in different ways.
Logistics: When facing supply chain delays, explore alternative problem statements such as 'How to reduce dependency on a single supplier?' vs 'How to buffer against delays?'
Personal goal setting: compare losing weight, improving energy, and enjoying activity as possible objectives. Ask which best captures your purpose, since changing the wording may also change the goal.
Education: Teachers can ask students to generate multiple ways to state a math problem before solving it, fostering deeper understanding.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Traffic Congestion
A common problem is traffic congestion. Instead of immediately trying to solve it (e.g., by building more roads), one can restate the problem as: 'How can we reduce the number of vehicles on the road?' or 'How can we make commuting more efficient without adding infrastructure?' Alternatively, approach it from a different angle: 'How can we encourage remote work?' or 'How can we improve public transit scheduling?'
Low Employee Morale
A manager notices low morale. Restating the problem could be: 'What factors are causing dissatisfaction?' or 'How can we increase recognition?' Alternative approaches might include: 'Redesign team meetings to be more inclusive' or 'Implement flexible hours.'
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Think of a minor annoyance you experienced today. How could you rephrase it as a problem statement? Generate two different phrasings.
Consider a current challenge at work or school. Instead of trying to solve it immediately, list three alternative approaches that change the focus of the problem.
How does the way you state a problem limit or expand the range of possible solutions?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)