Problem definition
Other Peoples Definitions
Overview
Other People's Definitions is a technique that seeks to discover views of the problem that are different from the client perspective on it, in order to challenge the client's views about the problem. Different people with different backgrounds and expertise perceive the same problem differently, and these alternative perspectives can be used to understand a client's problem more effectively.
What to do
The technique can be applied in the following 4 simple steps:
- At the start of the use of the technique, the client representative who is present in the creative session describes the current problem in the forms of
- How can I or we
- … or
- How to
- …;
- The participants then ask the client questions about the problem, taking care not to offer any solution to the problem or to make any type of judgement about the problem. The client should answer each of these questions factually, without seeking to be defensive or offer any justifications for the answers;
- Each participant and the client then write down his or her own attempt to express key element of problem privately in the forms of
- How could I
- … or
- How to
- …, without collaborating with others;
- All of the resulting alternative problem definitions from all of the participants are then shared, explained, discussed and documented, along with any conclusions that arise from this discussion. The client then decides on the final version of the problem definition, drawing on the other participant's problem definitions as needed.
People
The technique can work for any number of people, but requires at least a client representative to be present to describe the problem, and select between alternative definitions.
Problem solving characteristics
Use this technique in order to obtain a better understanding of the problem, before other creative problem solving techniques are used in order to solve the problem.
Creative phases
This technique is best used at the start of a creative process, to ensure that the right problem(s) are solved in the most creative ways possible.
Location
You can use this technique is any space that allows detailed discussions to take place between the client and other participants.
Equipment
To use this technique, ensure that you have pens and paper to enable the participants to write down then read back each attempt to define the client's problem differently.