Random Word
A lateral thinking technique developed by Edward de Bono. A random, unrelated word is introduced into a brainstorming session to break habitual thinking patterns. Participants are forced to make unexpected connections between the random word and the problem, often generating ideas they would never reach through direct analysis.
Come eseguirlo
- 1
Define the problem or challenge clearly.
- 2
Select a random word — open a dictionary to a random page, use a random word generator, or pick any unrelated noun.
- 3
Write the random word prominently on the board.
- 4
Ask participants to list attributes or associations of the random word (2–3 min).
- 5
Force connections: how do those attributes apply to or inspire solutions to the problem?
- 6
Write down all ideas generated, however loose the connection.
- 7
Evaluate and develop the most promising ideas.
Suggerimenti
The stranger the word, the better — avoid words that are too close to the problem domain.
If the group gets stuck, prompt with: 'What if the word was a solution? How would it work?' The randomness is the mechanism, not a bug.
Variazioni
Replace the random word with a random image (cut from a magazine or pulled from Google Images). Run as a warm-up exercise before a longer ideation session.
Casi d'uso
Domande frequenti
Quando usare Random Word?â–¾
Usa Random Word quando vuoi: Breaking creative blocks; Product ideation; Marketing campaign brainstorming; Innovation workshops.
Quanto dura Random Word?â–¾
Random Word dura tipicamente da 20 a 40 minuti.
Per quanti partecipanti è adatto Random Word?▾
Random Word funziona meglio per gruppi di 1–20 partecipanti.
Di quali materiali ho bisogno per Random Word?â–¾
Per condurre Random Word avrai bisogno di: dictionary or random word generator, sticky notes, markers.
Quanto è difficile facilitare Random Word?▾
Random Word è classificato come principiante — facile da facilitare anche senza esperienza precedente.
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