| name | solution-creativity |
| description | Apply 20 systematic creativity techniques to generate solution candidates for product opportunities. Use when brainstorming solutions or feeling stuck on approaches. |
Solution Creativity Skill
Purpose
Provide systematic creativity techniques for generating product solutions. These 20 techniques ensure you explore the full solution space instead of jumping to the first idea.
20 Creativity Techniques
Group 1: Constraint Manipulation
| # | Technique | How to Apply |
|---|
| 1 | Add constraints | What if you could only use one screen? One click? No text? |
| 2 | Remove constraints | What if there were no technical limitations? No budget limits? |
| 3 | Make it much bigger | What if this served 100x the users? What changes? |
| 4 | Make it much smaller | What's the absolute minimum that delivers value? |
Group 2: Structural Manipulation
| # | Technique | How to Apply |
|---|
| 5 | Bundle | What separate things should be combined into one? |
| 6 | Unbundle | What combined thing should be broken apart? |
| 7 | Make it the only thing | What if the entire product was just this feature? |
| 8 | Make it unnecessary | Can you eliminate the need entirely? |
Group 3: User Psychology
| # | Technique | How to Apply |
|---|
| 9 | Remove friction | What steps can be eliminated or automated? |
| 10 | Add friction | Where would intentional friction improve outcomes? |
| 11 | Reduce anxiety | What worries users? How do you address that fear? |
| 12 | Solve an unexpressed need | What do users need but haven't articulated? |
Group 4: Perspective Shifts
| # | Technique | How to Apply |
|---|
| 13 | Do the opposite | What if you reversed every assumption? |
| 14 | Reframe | What if the problem is actually something different? |
| 15 | Combine unrelated things | What unexpected combination creates value? |
| 16 | Solve multiple problems | Can one solution address 2-3 pain points? |
Group 5: Experience Design
| # | Technique | How to Apply |
|---|
| 17 | Surprise | What would unexpectedly delight users? |
| 18 | Make them feel smarter | How can the product make users look good? |
| 19 | Build distribution in | How can the product spread itself through use? |
| 20 | Make it skeuomorphic | What real-world metaphor fits perfectly? |
How to Use
Quick Mode (5 minutes)
Pick 3-4 techniques most relevant to the problem. Generate one idea per technique.
Deep Mode (30 minutes)
Run all 20 techniques. Generate 1-2 ideas per technique. Then cluster and evaluate.
Workshop Mode (1-2 hours)
Run all 20 techniques in groups. For each group, discuss the best idea. Then combine ideas across groups.
Solution Evaluation
After generating candidates, evaluate each on four dimensions:
| Dimension | Question | Validation Method |
|---|
| Valuable | Will customers find this valuable? | Painted doors, interviews |
| Usable | Can customers use this easily? | Prototype testing |
| Feasible | Can we build this? | Engineering spikes |
| Viable | Will this achieve the business outcome? | GTM validation |
Classification
After evaluation, classify each solution:
- Differentiator — Unique competitive advantage
- MMR — Must-have to compete
- Neutralizer — Catches up to competitors
- Quick Win — Low effort, moderate value
Then plot on the Risk vs Impact 2x2:
- No Brainers (low risk, high impact) → Do first
- Big Bets (high risk, high impact) → Invest carefully
- Quick Wins (low risk, low impact) → Fill gaps
- Duds (high risk, low impact) → Avoid
