A good framework for innovative ways of thinking and assumption-busting can be found in the work of Michael Michalko. His book, 'Cracking Creativity'30, provides a rich source of approaches to thinking differently and his Thinkpak31 is a practical tool for getting groups to experiment with their ideas. Thinkpak goes way beyond brainstorming by providing a structure for idea generation and development. The Thinkpak is a pack of 56 cards to support groups based around the SCAMMPERR structure that Michalko has devised for looking at topics from a wide range of different angles. SCAMMPERR is an acronym for the nine principles that Michalko offers for creative work:
Substitute something
Combine it with something else
Adapt something to it
Magnify or add to it
Modify it
Put it to some other use
Eliminate something
Rearrange it
Reverse it
For example when defining a new facility it's a good idea to start from what you know - say you are designing a new laboratory - and ask what other functions could we use this space for (combine it with something else). Could it also be used as a small cinema in the evenings? What could we take away? For example, some institutions have designed labs that can be easily adapted for use by any of the sciences, rather than design a discipline-specific lab.
The Thinkpak provides a powerful framework for individuals or groups to develop new ideas or new approaches to old ones. As well as the cards themselves, the Thinkpak booklet has a range of initial strategies to prepare for idea generation and selection. The Thinkpak could be a very useful resource, at least at the outset, to break out of old mindsets.
