Thread by @varunm30

“There is one thing stronger than all the armies of the world, and that is an idea whose time has come.”

🧵 Framework for generating high-impact ideas:

Cultivating ideas is a process.

You have to build a system to cultivate impactful ideas consistently.

I will share a 4-part framework that you can use to cultivate ideas.

1. Idea generation
2. Idea selection
3. Idea validation
4. Idea implementation

In this thread, I'll dive into "Idea Generation" & describe a simple framework that you can implement right away!

The following threads will cover the remaining 3 parts to cultivate ideas.

Lateral thinking is key - first, diverge & then converge.

Overview:

1/ PROBLEM - a question proposed for a solution, a matter stated for examination or proof.

Reframe problems into well-defined & clear "How might we.." statements.
This prioritises intention over tech/process.

But 1st, it is very important to be at the right problem level.

Example problem:
Our customers don't order pizza.

GO NARROW:
Ask "what's stopping you?" to get to the real problem.

What's stopping customers from ordering pizza?
- stale toppings?
- bad sauce?

Problem statement:
How might we ensure that the pizza toppings are fresh?

GO BROAD:
Use the 5 Whys framework to get to the real problem.

Why don't customers order pizza?
- Unhealthy?
- Expensive?

Problem statement:
How might we help customers pick our pizza?

@dklineii explains this framework well:

https://twitter.com/dklineii/status/1466406715318931467?s=20

@dklineii Is narrow better or broad? Depends on your goal.

Validate the problem with at least 5-10 people who face it, understand the nuances.

Frame a proper "How Might We" statement.

Don't proceed until you have the problem statement figured out properly, spend enough time!

@dklineii 2/ DIVERGE - quality through quantity.

This phase is all about avoiding errors of omission.

Follow as many lines of thought as possible to generate a large list of solutions to the problem.

Expand & go wider. Don't exclude anything.

All ideas are good ideas.

Defer judgment.

@dklineii To diverge & generate ideas, use:

1. Mindmapping - Branch out with relations

2. SCAMPER model - Which elements can you Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Minify/Magnify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse?

3. Business model canvas - What can you add/remove in each box of the BMC?

@dklineii You now have a huge list of ideas.

You've effectively improved the odds of having a great idea somewhere in that list.

The point is to ensure that you get high quality & impactful ideas by forcing a high quantity of ideas.

Hence, quality through quantity.

@dklineii 3/ CONVERGE - filter down

This phase is all about avoiding errors of commission.

Think of this stage as a funnel.

Apply judgement & find relations between ideas.

Analyse your list of ideas & bucket similar ideas into categories.

@dklineii Go through each category & score every idea against:
- meeting user needs
- effort to develop
- impact on the customer

Involve decision makers & discuss the top 10-20 ideas.
Feedback is key.

Pick ideas, maintain a list & review it every 3-4 months.

@dklineii KEY POINTS for making this process effective:

1. Diversity in the team is extremely useful.

Assemble people with different:
- perspectives
- problem-solving styles
- mindsets (introverted & extroverted)
- proximity to the problem
- expertise (cross-functional & subject matter)

@dklineii 2. While diverging, stop saying things like:
- we already tried that
- our competitors failed at it
- it's ahead of its time
- seems complicated, etc

3. Define the thought process - accommodate people who ideate within constraints & without.

@dklineii 4. Use an outside facilitator to eliminate bias & enable thinking.

5. Communicate upwards about the idea generation system.

Present your ideas properly to get buy-ins:
- Explain the problem
- Explain the process
- Introduce selected ideas/solutions

Tip: Lobby votes beforehand.

@dklineii Perspective is important to come up with high-impact ideas.

Check out the following threads:

1. Using the Socratic Method to reclaim your curiosity, stimulate critical thinking, and establish first principles by @SahilBloom:

https://twitter.com/SahilBloom/status/1421796866874880004?s=20

@dklineii @SahilBloom 2. 6 things kids know by heart that adults forgot by @anafabrega11:

https://twitter.com/anafabrega11/status/1476582281770942468?s=20

@dklineii @SahilBloom @anafabrega11 3. Why do smart product people & teams often build products with mediocre or no impact? by @shreyas:

https://twitter.com/shreyas/status/1282169204699873281?s=20

@dklineii @SahilBloom @anafabrega11 @shreyas Tools I've used & can recommend for this process:

@NotionHQ - Build pages to accommodate your specific requirements.

@MiroHQ - Great templates to enable creative & critical thinking.

@aha_io Ideas - Advanced, expensive & extremely powerful for large teams.

This thread on idea generation is the 1st stage of a 4-part framework to cultivate ideas.

Follow me for more threads on concepts that will help you become a better entrepreneur.

If you found this useful, RT the 1st tweet to share it with others.

https://twitter.com/varunm30/status/1480927026253119495?s=20

Summary:

1. Define the problem statement clearly & at the right level.

2. Diverge to generate a large list of ideas.

3. Converge to select specific ideas.

4. Maintain the list & review it every 3-4 months.

5. Communicate your ideas properly.

Once you generate ideas, you need to select the right ones to implement.

Here’s the 2nd part of the 4-part framework on Idea Cultivation:

https://twitter.com/varunm30/status/1481640193559986187