The Concept Fan
Breed specifics from broad concepts
The Concept Fan is a technique that uses broad concepts to generate narrower concepts and specifics, allowing for the creation of new ideas and solutions.
- Broad concepts can be used to generate narrower concepts and specifics.
- The Concept Fan can be used to breed new ideas and solutions.
- Creativity and problem-solving require a combination of broad and narrow thinking.
- Define the purposeDefine the purpose or problem that you want to tackle using the Concept Fan.Pro tipMake sure the purpose is clear and well-defined.WarningAvoid vague or overly broad purposes.
- Identify broad conceptsIdentify broad concepts that may help to tackle the purpose or problem.Pro tipUse a brainstorming session to generate a list of broad concepts.WarningAvoid getting too caught up in details, focus on broad concepts.
- Feed broad concepts with narrower conceptsTake each broad concept and generate narrower concepts that may help to tackle the purpose or problem.Pro tipUse a mind mapping or brainstorming technique to generate narrower concepts.WarningAvoid getting too caught up in analysis, focus on generating new ideas.
- Feed narrower concepts with specificsTake each narrower concept and generate specifics that may help to tackle the purpose or problem.Pro tipUse a combination of research and brainstorming to generate specifics.WarningAvoid getting too caught up in details, focus on generating new ideas.
The traffic congestion example
A city planner uses the Concept Fan to tackle traffic congestion and generates new ideas such as encouraging public transport and carpooling.
OutcomeThe city planner is able to implement new solutions to reduce traffic congestion.
Not defining the purpose clearly
If the purpose is not clearly defined, the Concept Fan may not be effective in generating new ideas and solutions.
Not generating enough broad concepts
If not enough broad concepts are generated, the Concept Fan may not be effective in generating new ideas and solutions.
Getting too caught up in analysis
If too much time is spent analyzing each concept, the Concept Fan may not be effective in generating new ideas and solutions.
The Concept Fan was developed as a way to facilitate creative thinking and problem-solving by using broad concepts to generate new ideas.
Source · BOOK
Flowscapes