True and false divisions
Instead of finding natural components of a situation, create artificial divisions to provoke new arrangements and generate novel ideas. This lateral thinking technique prevents the mind from reassembling parts into the original pattern.
THE IDEA
It might seem that what is being recommended is the analysis of a situation into its component parts. This is not so. One is not trying to find the true component parts of a situation, one is trying to create parts. The natural or true lines of division are usually not much good as the parts tend to reassemble to give the original pattern since this is how the pattern came about in the first place. With artificial divisions however there is more opportunity to put units together in novel ways. As is so often the case with lateral thinking one is looking for a provocative arrangement of information that can lead to a new way of looking at things. One is not trying to discover the correct way. What one needs is something to be going on with and for this purpose any sort of fractionation will do.
In the design of an apple picking machine the problem could have been fractionated into the following parts:
- reaching
- finding
- picking
- transport to the ground
- undamaged apples
In reassembling these fractions one might have put reaching-finding-picking together and then substituted shaking the tree for all these functions. One would then be left with transport to the ground in such a way that the apples were not damaged. On the other hand one might have put reaching-undamaged apples-transport to the ground together and come up with some elevated canvas platform which would be raised towards the apples.
Someone else might have fractionated the problem in a different way:
- contribution of tree to apple picking
- contribution of apples
- contribution of machine
This particular type of fractionation might have led on to the idea of growing the trees in a special way that would make it easier to pick the apples.
When to use it
Brainstorming new product features by arbitrarily breaking down the user experience into unconventional phases.
Redesigning a workflow by creating artificial stages that cross traditional boundaries.
Generating innovative marketing campaigns by segmenting the target audience in a non-standard way.
Solving a team conflict by dividing the issues into new categories that reframe the problem.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Apple picking machine design
In de Bono’s design exercise, divide apple picking into reaching, finding, picking, transport to the ground, and keeping apples undamaged. Combining the first functions suggests shaking the tree, leaving safe transport as a separate problem. Another grouping suggests an elevated canvas platform.
Growing trees for easier picking
A different division considers the contributions of the tree, the apples, and the machine. This could shift attention toward growing trees in a shape that makes picking easier, expanding the design problem beyond the machine.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
What current problem could you artificially divide into parts that are not its natural components?
How might rearranging those artificial parts give you a new perspective or solution?
Think of a situation where focusing on natural divisions kept you stuck. How could artificial division have opened new possibilities?
Often confused with
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Lateral Thinking A Textbook of Creativity (Edward de Bono)