Forced Analogy / Structural Transplant — map the problem onto a structurally similar system from a distant domain (immune system, air-traffic control, restaurant kitchen, jazz ensemble) and transfer its mechanisms back. Use when a solution works but feels…
Lateral thinking toolkit router — when you're stuck, going in circles, need fresh ideas, or standard brainstorming keeps producing predictable results, this diagnoses the symptom and applies the right technique from the toolkit (random-stimulus, provocation,…
Edward de Bono's Provocation (Po) technique — state something deliberately wrong or absurd about the problem, then extract useful "movement" from it instead of judging it. Use when a constraint feels unbreakable, when every design converges on the same shape,…
Edward de Bono's Random Stimulus technique — force-fit a random unrelated object, place, or phenomenon onto a creative target to break familiar association patterns. Use for product ideation, feature naming, brand direction, copywriting, architecture and…
Worst Possible Idea (reverse brainstorming) — deliberately design the most terrible solutions to the problem, name the mechanism that makes each one bad, then invert those mechanisms into strong features. Use when ideas all feel timid and safe, when the team…
SCAMPER (Bob Eberle) — run one existing idea, product, or process through seven systematic transformations - Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify/Magnify, Put to other use, Eliminate, Reverse/Rearrange. Use when there is already one working idea and the need is…
Parallel thinking with six enforced perspectives, based on Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats® method - examine one decision through sequential passes for facts, feelings, risks, benefits, alternatives, and synthesis, never blending them. Use when a decision…
Edward de Bono's Concept Fan — climb from the current solution to the concept it serves by asking "what is this a way of doing?", then fan out alternative concepts and concrete implementations for each. Use when the current solution might be answering the…