Concept development - Idea generation - Matrix Analysis

Purpose

To generate solutions using the Exploring Innovation Style

Duration

15 - 25 minutes

Instructions

1. Briefly describe a problem for which you need a creative solution;
2. Select the two key variables that impact this problem;
3. On a piece of paper, make a two-dimensional matrix, and label one axis with the first variable and the other axis with the second variable;
4. Along each axis, write all the possible sub-variables for each variable;
5. Draw lines from each axis so that "squares" are formed, representing the combination of one sub-variable from each axis;
6. Brainstorm ideas for each square combination, for those squares that seem most promising, or for random squares in order to spur out-of-box solutions.

Facilitator Notes

Put extra effort into determining the variables and sub-variables. This will help make this exercise most effective. Share the example below with participants to clarify the exercise.

Example

Perhaps the two most important variables in a new food product would be kinds of food and forms of food. You would list the possibilities for each variable. For each combination, such as "Meat/Drink" or "Grain/Topping," you would then brainstorm specific ideas for a new product.