Thinking Styles
What is lateral thinking?
A creative thinking style that explores multiple possible solutions.
What is deductive reasoning?
Applying a general rule to a specific case.
What is another name for the Fishbone Diagram?
Ishikawa Diagram or Cause-and-Effect Diagram.
What are the four steps of the Design Thinking & Innovation (DTI) framework?
Clarify, Ideate, Develop, Implement.
What does convergent thinking focus on?
Finding one logical or correct solution.
What is inductive reasoning?
Forming a general rule from specific examples.
What is the purpose of a Fishbone Diagram?
To identify root causes of a problem.
What is the purpose of customer journey mapping in the Clarify phase?
To identify stages in a user’s experience where unmet needs may exist.
Give a real-life example of divergent thinking.
Brainstorming new marketing ideas or product names.
Give an example of inductive reasoning.
“Every time I drink coffee late, I can’t sleep — coffee keeps me awake.”
What is the 5 Whys technique used for?
To dig deeper and find the underlying cause of a problem.
What is a Rose-Bud-Thorn analysis used for in the Develop stage?
To identify positives (roses), areas of potential (buds), and negatives (thorns) in a concept or prototype.
How does reflective thinking differ from reflexive thinking?
Reflective = slow and deliberate.
Reflexive = quick and automatic.
Why is deductive reasoning important in business decision-making?
It ensures consistency and fairness when applying rules.
When is a Fishbone Diagram better than 5 Whys?
When the problem has multiple, complex causes.
What is the difference between “Clarify” and “Ideate” in the DTI framework?
Clarify is about understanding the problem; Ideate is about generating possible solutions.
Why are analytical and creative thinking both necessary for business problem-solving?
Analytical identifies the problem; creative generates innovative solutions.
Which type of reasoning is more prone to bias and why?
Inductive reasoning—based on limited observations, so generalizations can be false.
How can the 5 Whys go wrong if not applied carefully?
Leads to wrong conclusions if the main problem isn’t clearly defined.
Why is stakeholder engagement critical in the final stage of Design Thinking?
To ensure successful adoption and support of the solution within the organization.