Matrix matters

Problem-solving techniques are not all about intuition and association. Some of them, like Morphological Analysis, can be classified as analytical.

Morphological Analysis, originally designed by noted astronomer Fred Zwicky, is based on two creativity principles: break the problem into pieces, and combinations. The term morphology comes from classical Greek (morphe), and means the study of shape or form. Morphological Analysis is the analysis of the structure and arrangement of parts of an object, to see how these fit together in a whole.

One type of problem that responds well to Morphological Analysis is design, for example the improvement of a product. The first step is to identify the various dimensions or parts of the problem. Let’s say we want to improve the design of a wiggle. We’ll pretend that a wiggle is a blue disc made of wool, and its use is domestic. Its dimensions include colour, material, shape, and use.

If we want to improve the wiggle, we can play with these attributes. Each attribute will have its own set of values. We place all of these in a matrix, with the attributes as column headers, and their possible values beneath them like this:

Now we can combine the values. What about a grey rectangular wiggle made of cotton, for commercial use? Or a green diamond-shaped wiggle made of nylon, for industrial use?

A second example: plotting a novel. We’ll use narrative element, character, motivation, and personality, and fill in some values:

A greedy narrator who is the black-sheep of the family, and motivated by vengeance? Dialogue involving a lazy spy motivated by peace?

How’s that to get your imagination going?

Comments

[Elizabeth]

Very nice post. I love the grid for planning a novel.

[Martie Groenewald]

Thank you! It is one of my favourite techniques.