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Lateral thinking
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lateral thinking is a term coined by Edward de Bono, for the solution of problems through an indirect and
creative approach. Lateral thinking is about reasoning that is not immediately obvious and about ideas that
may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic.

The term first appeared in the title of de Bono's book New Think: The Use of Lateral Thinking, published in
1967.

Contents
1 Methods
1.1 Idea generating tools
2 Lateral thinking and problem solving
3 See also
4 Books
5 References

Methods
Critical thinking is primarily concerned with judging the truth value of statements and seeking errors. Lateral
thinking is more concerned with the movement value of statements and ideas. A person would use lateral
thinking when they want to move from one known idea to creating new ideas.

There are four types of "thinking tools" defined in Edward de Bono's Lateral Thinking: The Power of
Provocation manual:[1]

Idea generating tools that are designed to break current thinking patterns - routine patterns, the status
quo
Focus tools that are designed to broaden where to search for new ideas
Harvest tools that are designed to ensure more value is received from idea generating output
Treatment tools that are designed to consider real-world constraints, resources, and support

Idea generating tools

Random Entry Idea Generating Tool: Choose an object at random, or a noun from a dictionary, and
associate that with the area you are thinking about.

For example imagine you are thinking about how to improve a web site. Choosing an object at random from
an office you might see a fax machine. A fax machine transmits images over the phone to paper. Fax
machines are becoming rare. People send faxes directly to phone numbers. Perhaps this could be a new way
embed the web site's content in emails and other sites.

Provocation Idea Generating Tool: choose to use any of the provocation techniques - wishful thinking,
exaggeration, reversal, escape, or arising. Create a list of provocations and then use the most outlandish ones
to move your thinking forward to new ideas.

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Challenge Idea Generating Tool: A tool which is designed to ask the question "WHY?", in a non
threatening way, why something exists, why it is done the way it is. The result is a very clear understanding
of WHY? which naturally leads to fresh new ideas. The goal is to be able to challenge anything at all, not just
items which are problems.

For example you could challenge the handles on coffee cups. The reason for the handle seems to be that the
cup is often too hot to hold directly. Perhaps coffee cups could be made with insulated finger grips, or there
could be separate coffee cup holders similar to beer holders.

Concept Fan Idea Generating Tool: Ideas carry out concepts. This tool systematically expands the range
and number of concepts in order to end up with a very broad range of ideas to consider.

The other focus, harvesting and treatment tools deal with the output of the generated ideas and the ways to
use them.

Lateral thinking and problem solving

Problem Solving: When something creates a problem, the performance or the status quo of the situation
drops. Problem solving deals with finding out what caused the problem and then figuring out ways to fix the
problem. The objective is to get the situation to where it should be.

For example, a production line has an established run rate of 1000 books per hour. Suddenly, the run rate
drops to 839 books per hour. Ideas as to why this happened and solutions to repair the production line must
be thought of.

Creative Problem Solving: Using creativity, one must solve a problem in an indirect and unconventional
manner.

For example, if a production line produced 1000 books per hour, creative problem solving could find ways to
produce more books per hour, use the production line, or reduce the cost to run the production line.

Creative Problem Identification: Many of the greatest non-technological innovations are identified while
realizing an improved process or design in everyday objects and tasks either by accidental chance or by
studying and documenting real world experience.

For example, a wind resistant umbrella could have been invented and manufactured hundreds of years ago
by simply cutting a hole on the top of a normal umbrella about 20% the diameter of the whole umbrella and
adding another layer over the hole allowing wind to pass through sideways while still allowing water to drain
down and not entering the umbrella. This type of process or object modification requires no special
technology and minimal expense to execute. Creative problem identification changes the process of
inventing new solutions to identifying ways to improve current objects and processes.

See also
Thinking outside the box
Provocative operation
Lateral thinking puzzles, also referred as situation puzzles
Oblique Strategies
Derailment (thought disorder)

Books
Lateral Thinking, Edward De Bono, 1970. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-021978-1

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Po: Beyond Yes and No, Edward De Bono, 1972. Penguin Books. ISBN 0-14-021715-0
Serious Creativity, Edward De Bono, 1992. Harper Business. ISBN 0-88730-635-7
Test your Lateral Thinking IQ, Paul Sloane,(Sterling Publishing, 1994), ISBN 0-8069-0684-7
The Leader's Guide to Lateral Thinking Skills, Paul Sloane, (Kogan Page, 2006), ISBN
0-7494-4797-4

References
1. ^ Published in 2006 by de Bono Thinking Systems
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