PBL Solution Generators (Step 8)

• SCAMPER (Eberle, 1971) This unique questioning strategy can produce unusual, effective solutions. Each letter of the acronym is a vehicle for understanding how to change or improve something.

• How-How Diagram (Higgins). This helps to identify possible solutions and/or steps necessary to implement solutions. Use the same procedure and chart as for the “Why-Why” approach, only instead of asking why, ask how?” Each time a solution is listed, the question “how” is asked which results in creating additional, more detailed ideas.

• Morphological Analysis. A two or three-dimensional matrix is created. Characteristics or attributes of a solution are written along one axis. Along the other, change words are written, such as verbs, adjectives or adverbs. The change words are applied to the characteristics, and the results are evaluated. A third axis might contain other relevant factors.

• Brain writing. In this non-oral form of brainstorming the basic rules apply: strive for as many ideas; encourage silly or impractical ideas; combine and piggyback ideas; withhold judgment. Participants sit in a circle, write their ideas for solving a problem, and pass them to their neighbors in the circle. Each person brainstorms ideas for a specified time period, say 5 minutes. The idea is to build on and improve the ideas of others. Three exchanges can produce many good ideas.

• Direct analogies. In a direct analogy, facts, knowledge, or technology from one field are applied to another. For example, scientists at Oregon State University have examined spiders and bus in a an attempt to improve the agility of robots. Make the strange familiar (e.g. the circulatory system as a pump) and innovative by making the familiar strange (e.g. the liver and lungs likened to a swimming pool where dirty water is pumped through the filter back into the pool).

(Original page by Mary Frangie)