Tauber believes that heuristics can make idea generation more efficient and ensure that only the best idea candidates will be considered. Although HIT originally was intended for new product idea generation, it also will work for a variety of other problems.
Two heuristics help make idea generation more efficient. The first assumes that most ideas can be described using a two-word combination. For instance, the words “toaster/tart” represent a combination that might suggest a breakfast food product. The second heuristic is that some combinations will be viewed as more interesting than others. In particular, combinations that come from different categories have a greater chance
of suggesting unique ideas than combinations from similar categories. As an example, the combination “ice cream/cereal” might be perceived as more interesting than the combination “vegetables/fruits.”
Objectives
• To help participants generate as many creative ideas as possible
• To help participants learn how to use the activities to generate ideas
Participants
Small groups of four to seven people each
Materials,Supplies,and Equipment
• For each group: markers, two flip charts, and masking tape for posting flip-chart sheets
• For each participant: one sheet each of three different colors of sticking dots (1?2” diameter) and one pad of 4 x 6 Post-it® Notes
Handout
• Parts Is Parts Handout
Time
60 minutes
Related Activities
• Combo Chatter [24]
• Ideas in a Box [25]
• Mad Scientist [27]
Taken From : Pfeiffer 101 Activities for Teaching Creativity
