Creative Methodologies: “The 8 -ates”

For a client project, I was going through an old file of different creative methodologies or problem-solving techniques. They range from well-known ones (like the Osborn-Parnes model) to more obscure (one developed by a reader of my blog who’s a nurse in Texas!). They’re all interesting, and each right in their own particular perspective. To some extent, all of them have a mnemonic device or clever acronym to differentiate it from other systems.

Here’s one that I’ve noticed has become popular among a number of different agencies. From what I can gather, it was originally developed by Virgo Health PR in the UK. It seems its industrious alumni like it so much they take it to their next agency, with good reason. Among all of the systems, this one is accurate in its hope to “create the ideal mindset for effective idea generation.”

The system didn’t have a name per se when I was sent a copy. But because of its clever rhythming, I call it the “Eight -Ates.”

1. Disassociate – Zone out and clear your head, ready to have thoughts provoked.

2. Stimulate – Get the creative juices flowing and prime people’s minds for lateral thinking through multi-sensory stimulation, encouraging individuals to ‘look beyond the horizon.’

3. Activate – Challenge people’s brains to think differently and be taken out of their comfort zone.

4. Generate – Invite ideas – any and every thought it thrown into the mixing pot.

5. Cultivate – Identify ideas that resonate well and then probe further.

6. Disorientate – Re-stimulate people’s minds to develop existing ideas and trigger new thoughts.

7. Consolidate – Review ideas to draw out preferred options.

8. Evaluate – Test your thinking to ensure ideas offer an achievable solution meeting the objective.

I’d love to hear if you have any other creative methodologies to share.