Combinations 131
- Combo Chatter [24]
- Parts Is Parts [30]
- 666 [34]
- Word Diamond [35]
Procedure
- Distribute the handout to participants, review it with them, and ask for any ques-
tions they might have. - Have each group obtain a sheet of flip-chart paper and tape it lengthwise to a wall
or lay it down on a table. - Tell them to list major problem attributes across the top of the sheet of paper.
- Direct them to list potential or existing subattributes for each category.
- Have them combine one or more subattributes from each category and use the
combination to suggest ideas. - Tell them to write down any ideas on Post-it®Notes (one idea per note) and place
them on flip charts for evaluation. - Select another combination of subattributes and use it to generate ideas.
- Have them continue this process until you have generated all possible ideas.
Debrief/Discussion
This exercise provides a relatively systematic way to consider different idea variations. Its
emphasis on unrelated stimuli, however, may make it somewhat limiting. However, it is
an excellent exercise to use for people who think in structured ways and like to analyze
situations. Ideas in a Box might also work well with people who are good at free-associat-
ing from an initial stimulus word. You might test this last observation by asking partici-
pants to select one of their subattributes, take turns free-associating words, and then
using these words to help trigger ideas.
Also consider having participants debrief using the following questions:- What was most helpful about this exercise?
- What was most challenging?
- What can we apply?
- How would you rate the value of this exercise to helping us with this issue?
- Will this exercise be helpful in the future for other sessions?
- What did you learn?
- What will we be able to use from this exercise?
- What ideas were generated, and which ones were most interesting?
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