The Idea Generator Plus
Questions and Answers
What does the Idea Generator Plus do?
The
Idea Generator plus challenges the user to look
at his or her situation from productive new points
of view. It offers users a powerful way to solve
problems and communicate those solutions to others.
In work groups, the program can structure a brainstorming
session and help all of the participants contribute
to a solution.
How Does the Idea Generator Plus Work?
The Idea Generator Plus takes users through
a series of structured interactive exercises
designed to help them develop and evaluate ideas.
The first section of the program leads users
to succinctly define their problem, their goals,
and list all the people involved.
Next, users explore as many of the program's
seven idea generating techniques as they want:
- "Similar Situations" directs
users to take lessons from similar situations
they have encountered in the past.
- "Metaphors for the Situation" prompts
users to search for parallels between familiar
activities and the situation they face. For
example, marketing campaigns can be described
as military operations.
- "Other Perspectives" asks users to play the
pessimist and optimist and see their situation
through the eyes of others, real or imaginary.
For example, users can ask themselves, "What
would Lee Iaccoca do in a situation like this?"
- "Focus on Your Goals One by One" lets
users treat each objective as the only goal.
This frees users from trying to solve too
many problems at the same time.
- "Reverse Your Goals" prompts
users to generate ideas from opposites of
the goals they want to achieve.
- "Focus on the People Involved" asks
users to analyze qualities in other people,
helpful or hostile, as a source of new ideas.
- "Make the Most of Your Ideas" permits
users to improve bad ideas, dump ideas that
make no sense, and group ideas together in
categories.
The third section of the program is where users
evaluate their ideas. They prioritize them according
to the importance given to their goals; do a cost/benefit
analysis of each idea, and determine its effect
on other people.
An online note pad is always available to jot
down thoughts as they occur.
Users can generate reports on their screen or
printer, The software also allows users to bring
their ideas directly into personal information
Managers (such as Lotus Agenda or GrandView)
or outliners.
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