Idea-Generation Techniques: A Formulary Of Active Ingredients

Authors

Gerald F. Smith, University of Northern IowaFollow

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Creative Behavior

Volume

32

Issue

2

First Page

107

Last Page

134

Abstract

The profusion of creativity techniques that have been proposed and used is based on a much smaller set of active ingredients, devices that promote idea generation. This paper reports the results of a study that identified these active ingredients through an analysis of 172 idea-generation methods. Fifty idea-generation devices of three types - strategies, tactics, and enablers - were identified and organized in a formulary. Research results facilitate the evaluation of idea-generation methods and the selection of methods suited to particular idea-generation tasks.

Department

Department of Management

Original Publication Date

1-1-1998

DOI of published version

10.1002/j.2162-6057.1998.tb00810.x

Recommended Citation

Smith, Gerald F., "Idea-Generation Techniques: A Formulary Of Active Ingredients" (1998). Faculty Publications. 3921.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/facpub/3921