Methods for developing new creative ideas are in demand today in various fields. With their help, the leaders of large companies and organizations increase the efficiency of their activities in a competitive environment, and creative teams stimulate extraordinary thought processes. There are many ways and practical techniques for implementing the idea of a non-trivial approach to problem solving - from classic brainstorming to the six hats technique. Recently, another method has become popular - synectics, the effectiveness of which has long been proven in practice. A feature of this technique is the ability to use various techniques, the combination of which expands the boundaries of the search for original solutions.
General information about synectics
The author of the method is William Gordon, who in the early 1950s was actively working to improve the technique of brainstorming. The fruit of the scientist's work was the synectic approach to solving problems. This word means "connection of different elements", which reflects the peculiarity of this method. Although the synectics method refers to the methods of activating creative skills, it is used in a variety of fields, including even industrial enterprises.
FirstFamiliarity with the technique may give the wrong impression of it as an accessible technique. In fact, it requires a complex organization and serious preparation from the members of the synectic group. It should also be noted that synectics solves specific problems and does not involve the use of patterns in the development of different systems. As already noted, this technique is based on the brainstorming method. To be more precise, it represents a modified version of it, designed for professionals.
Social significance of the method
Research shows that modern companies and organizations are governed by certain laws that determine their policies. Often, strict adherence to a particular course prevents the use and even consideration of ways to solve problems that could increase the efficiency of activities, but are contrary to the charter. Quite often, the adopted rules and regulations really reflect the reality and work for the benefit. But there are also reverse cases, when corporate laws are nothing more than a set of habits from the past. In turn, innovative ideas are capable of changing the situation without destructive processes from within, the main thing is to use the method correctly. Synectics, even at the lower management levels, allows you to achieve good results in the decision-making process.
The essence of the method
In practice, this method is implemented based on the principles of analogy. That is, to solve the task, experience is adopted from another area in whicha similar issue has already been resolved. To illustrate this approach, an example can be given that was solved by Gordon's group. The creator of the method was faced with the task of how to place the chips in the package with the greatest compactness so that they do not crumble at the same time. The way out was found with the help of analogy, which demonstrated the essence of the synectics method as a method of comparison. The scientist's group used the principle of bagging leaves, which at the same time retained their structure because they were wet. In the case of chips, a special molding and flour wetting technology was used, which made it possible to save space in the package. This is how the famous Pringles brand was born.
Creating a synectic team
The process of forming the members of the group that will implement the method includes several stages. At the first stage, potential participants of the synectic event are tested. During the tests, the general erudition, the level of education, the flexibility of thinking, the experience of participating in various experiments are determined. Tests for specialized knowledge may also be required, which determine the specific purpose of synectics methods in a particular area. For example, in construction tasks, knowledge of architecture may be required, and in the food industry, chemistry. Then the members of the group are trained. It should be noted that in the West this method is actively used in a variety of ways, and therefore synectics training centers are quite common. The final stage is the introduction of the prepared group intoa real environment to work on the task.
Order of method implementation
Like any other method of generating new ideas, synectics involves several phases of working on a task. To begin with, in order to maintain the abstractness of thinking, a general idea of the problem is given without specifying the requirements for the result. Then the problem is divided into several simplified parts, after which the group works on an independent search for possible problems and ways to solve them.
It is important to note that in this phase, too, participants deal with the problem as they understand it, that is, without clarification. At the main stage, solving problems using the synectics method involves considering analogies that are closest to the problem posed. This phase is completed by making a decision about the choice of analogy, and a comparison of the solved problem from another sphere and the problem posed is performed. It is worth emphasizing the important difference between this approach and the classical brainstorming method. In the case of synectics, criticism of the proposed idea by experts is also envisaged, as well as bringing the solution to practice.
Operating mechanisms of synectics
Members of synectic groups have to work with a wide range of tools, including operational mechanisms. In particular, it can be a game with metaphors, in which, again, analogies are used that are similar to the problem posed. Usually, among the main goals of such work, the transformation of an acquaintance intounfamiliar. In other words, the framework and barriers are eliminated, which makes the method more effective. Synectics makes it possible to comprehend the problem in a new form and from an unusual point of view. It is noteworthy that it is impossible to teach psychological tools. Mechanisms such as playing with intuition suggest that each person can use them at a conscious level.
Types of analogies in synectics
Analogies are the key mechanism that provides a synectic result. There are several types of this tool, including direct, fantastic, personal and symbolic comparisons.
Direct analogies assume that a third-party object will be maximally similar in certain properties to the subject of the problem. Personal analogies aim to search based on one's own impressions, emotions, memories, etc. The symbolic method of analogies is also popular. Synectics in this case instructs the participants to express the problem through the language of metaphors and symbols. In the process of such searches, the object is transferred from the real world to the system of abstract concepts. The method with the use of fantastic analogies has similar features. Participants endow objects with special properties and qualities, which also allows them to more effectively solve the tasks.
Pros and cons of synectics
The advantages of the method include its versatility, efficiency compared to alternative ways of developing abstract thinking, as well as the improvement of individual qualities,including intuition and imagination. Also, synectics is one of the methods of activating thinking, which provides for critical assessments in the preparation of the result, which improves the quality of the work of experts. If we talk about the minuses, then the main one will be the complexity. Although the tools and mechanisms of the technique seem simple, the organization of synectics at a professional level is quite a complex undertaking.
Conclusion
The basic principles of synectics involve the use of various means of developing imagination and thinking. And the very nature of this technique does not preclude its improvement. To date, there are several directions in which the method is developing. Synectics in the simplest models is available for implementation by one person who, through the same analogies, finds at least original and new ways of solving problems. Another thing is that the effectiveness of such an approach will be low. The traditional approach to synectics still involves group work on the problem, in which criticism of proposals is not excluded.
