

Gun to Your Head
5 snips Nov 26, 2024
Can extreme constraints spark creativity? Discover how high-pressure scenarios can lead to innovative problem-solving. The hosts explore the 'gun to your head' technique, sharing real-world examples like developing a debit card for children. They discuss the power of feature thinning to streamline projects and foster creativity. Plus, innovative thinking is encouraged through thought experiments involving alien spaceships! Learn how Oblique Strategies can help break mental blocks and enhance team creativity.
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Gun to the Head Heuristic
- To spark creative solutions, ask your team: "If a gun was to your head, what would you do?"
- This forces them to consider radical approaches they might otherwise dismiss.
Real-World Gun to the Head
- Squirrel's team faced a real "gun to the head" situation when they had to disable a feature by Friday.
- Driven by the deadline, they creatively found a solution in 36 hours, highlighting the power of constraints.
Feature Thinning
- Consider "feature thinning": ask for B, C, and D versions of a feature.
- This can uncover simpler, better approaches than aiming for the "A" version initially.