You have to build a system to cultivate impactful ideas consistently.
I will share a 4-part framework that you can use to cultivate ideas.
1. Idea generation
2. Idea selection
3. Idea validation
4. Idea implementation
“There is one thing stronger than all the armies of the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.”
🧵 Framework for generating high-impact ideas:
You have to build a system to cultivate impactful ideas consistently.
I will share a 4-part framework that you can use to cultivate ideas.
1. Idea generation
2. Idea selection
3. Idea validation
4. Idea implementation
The following threads will cover the remaining 3 parts to cultivate ideas.
Lateral thinking is key - first, diverge & then converge.
Overview:
Reframe problems into well-defined & clear "How might we.." statements.
This prioritises intention over tech/process.
But 1st, it is very important to be at the right problem level.
Our customers don't order pizza.
GO NARROW:
Ask "what's stopping you?" to get to the real problem.
What's stopping customers from ordering pizza?
- stale toppings?
- bad sauce?
Problem statement:
How might we ensure that the pizza toppings are fresh?
Use the 5 Whys framework to get to the real problem.
Why don't customers order pizza?
- Unhealthy?
- Expensive?
Problem statement:
How might we help customers pick our pizza?
@dklineii explains this framework well:
https://t.co/iMEHmCh4Kz
Root Cause Analysis (aka The 5 Whys) is a common consulting tactic.
— Dave Kline (@dklineii) December 2, 2021
But it can actually fuel personal development.
I've run 100's of these sessions and learned one key truth:
The 6th Why is the one that matters \U0001f9f5
Validate the problem with at least 5-10 people who face it, understand the nuances.
Frame a proper "How Might We" statement.
Don't proceed until you have the problem statement figured out properly, spend enough time!
This phase is all about avoiding errors of omission.
Follow as many lines of thought as possible to generate a large list of solutions to the problem.
Expand & go wider. Don't exclude anything.
All ideas are good ideas.
Defer judgment.
1. Mindmapping - Branch out with relations
2. SCAMPER model - Which elements can you Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Minify/Magnify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse?
3. Business model canvas - What can you add/remove in each box of the BMC?
You've effectively improved the odds of having a great idea somewhere in that list.
The point is to ensure that you get high quality & impactful ideas by forcing a high quantity of ideas.
Hence, quality through quantity.
This phase is all about avoiding errors of commission.
Think of this stage as a funnel.
Apply judgement & find relations between ideas.
Analyse your list of ideas & bucket similar ideas into categories.
- meeting user needs
- effort to develop
- impact on the customer
Involve decision makers & discuss the top 10-20 ideas.
Feedback is key.
Pick ideas, maintain a list & review it every 3-4 months.
1. Diversity in the team is extremely useful.
Assemble people with different:
- perspectives
- problem-solving styles
- mindsets (introverted & extroverted)
- proximity to the problem
- expertise (cross-functional & subject matter)
- we already tried that
- our competitors failed at it
- it's ahead of its time
- seems complicated, etc
3. Define the thought process - accommodate people who ideate within constraints & without.
5. Communicate upwards about the idea generation system.
Present your ideas properly to get buy-ins:
- Explain the problem
- Explain the process
- Introduce selected ideas/solutions
Tip: Lobby votes beforehand.
Check out the following threads:
1. Using the Socratic Method to reclaim your curiosity, stimulate critical thinking, and establish first principles by @SahilBloom:
https://t.co/6kr6J5ktkf
Humans are born with astonishing curiosity.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) August 1, 2021
But somewhere along the way, we are told to stop asking questions.
THREAD: Using the Socratic Method to reclaim your curiosity, stimulate critical thinking, and establish first principles:
https://t.co/TPyroeQyRe
6 things kids know by heart that adults forgot \U0001f938\U0001f3fd\U0001f447\U0001f3fd
— Ana Lorena Fabrega (@anafabrega11) December 30, 2021
https://t.co/jBGzD4V7AI
Why do smart product people & teams often build products with mediocre or no impact?
— Shreyas Doshi (@shreyas) July 12, 2020
A cautionary thread of biases and fallacies we encounter when building products\U0001f447\U0001f3fe
1/10 pic.twitter.com/G32kWjE2EZ
@NotionHQ - Build pages to accommodate your specific requirements.
@MiroHQ - Great templates to enable creative & critical thinking.
@aha_io Ideas - Advanced, expensive & extremely powerful for large teams.
Follow me for more threads on concepts that will help you become a better entrepreneur.
If you found this useful, RT the 1st tweet to share it with others.
https://t.co/rYNfQiPyS6
\u201cThere is one thing stronger than all the armies of the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.\u201d
— Varun Mallapragada (@varunm30) January 11, 2022
\U0001f9f5 Framework for generating high-impact ideas:
More from Learning
You May Also Like
I think a plausible explanation is that whatever Corbyn says or does, his critics will denounce - no matter how much hypocrisy it necessitates.
Corbyn opposes the exploitation of foreign sweatshop-workers - Labour MPs complain he's like Nigel
He speaks up in defence of migrants - Labour MPs whinge that he's not listening to the public's very real concerns about immigration:
He's wrong to prioritise Labour Party members over the public:
He's wrong to prioritise the public over Labour Party
One of the oddest features of the Labour tax row is how raising allowances, which the media allowed the LDs to describe as progressive (in spite of evidence to contrary) through the coalition years, is now seen by everyone as very right wing
— Tom Clark (@prospect_clark) November 2, 2018
Corbyn opposes the exploitation of foreign sweatshop-workers - Labour MPs complain he's like Nigel
He speaks up in defence of migrants - Labour MPs whinge that he's not listening to the public's very real concerns about immigration:
He's wrong to prioritise Labour Party members over the public:
He's wrong to prioritise the public over Labour Party
