How do you inspire new solutions with analogies or metaphors?

2 Why do analogies and metaphors work?

Analogies and metaphors work because they tap into your existing knowledge and experience, and help you to transfer them to new situations or domains. They also activate your right brain, which is more intuitive, holistic, and visual than your left brain, which is more analytical, logical, and verbal. By using both sides of your brain, you can enhance your creative problem solving skills and overcome mental blocks or biases. Analogies and metaphors can also help you to communicate your ideas more effectively and persuasively to others, by making them more memorable and relatable.

3 How to use analogies and metaphors in problem definition?

One of the first steps in creative problem solving is to define your problem clearly and accurately. You can use analogies and metaphors to help you to reframe your problem in different ways, and to identify the root causes, the stakeholders, and the criteria for success. For example, you can use an analogy to compare your problem to a similar one in another field or industry, and see what solutions they have applied. Or you can use a metaphor to describe your problem as a person, an animal, or an object, and see what attributes or emotions they have.

4 How to use analogies and metaphors in idea generation?

Another important step in creative problem solving is to generate as many ideas as possible, without judging or filtering them. You can use analogies and metaphors to help you to diverge from your usual thinking patterns, and to explore new and unexpected directions. For example, you can use an analogy to ask yourself how would someone else solve your problem, such as a superhero, a chef, or a musician. Or you can use a metaphor to imagine your problem as a different scenario, such as a game, a movie, or a story.

5 How to use analogies and metaphors in idea evaluation?

The final step in creative problem solving is to evaluate your ideas and select the best ones to implement. You can use analogies and metaphors to help you to converge your thinking, and to test and refine your ideas. For example, you can use an analogy to compare your ideas to existing solutions or products, and see what advantages or disadvantages they have. Or you can use a metaphor to visualize your ideas as prototypes, models, or sketches, and see how they look or work.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?