Creative thinking methods play a leading role in developing new ideas and original solutions. Among these techniques, the idea expansion method stands out for its ability to encourage the exploration of new avenues by expanding or reinforcing a particular aspect of an idea or concept.
The magnification method at a glance
The “expansion method,” also called amplification, is a creative thinking technique that involves taking an existing idea, concept, or problem and expanding or reinforcing a particular aspect of it. This can be done in a number of ways, whether by increasing the size, duration, intensity, adding components, exploring unexpected variations, or introducing surprising elements into the original idea. The goal is to find out how these changes can lead to new insights, new solutions or new opportunities.
How does the extension work?
It starts with choosing an idea, concept, or problem you want to explore or solve. Next, identify a specific aspect of this idea that you can expand or reinforce. For example, if you’re working on a design project, you may want to expand the color palette used or highlight the details of the design. If you are faced with an organizational problem, you might consider expanding the project team or expanding available resources.
Once you have determined the direction in which you want to expand or strengthen the aspect of the idea, begin to explore the consequences of that change. How does this affect the original idea? What new possibilities does this open up? What problems does this solve or create? This exploratory phase can produce surprising ideas and innovative perspectives.
The benefits of expansion
1/ Stimulate creativity
The expansion encourages creative thinking by pushing individuals to think outside the box and explore unconventional ideas. This can encourage innovation by encouraging bold and original approaches.
2/ Discovery of new perspectives
By expanding or reinforcing an aspect of the idea, you can discover insights that were previously hidden. This can reveal unexpected opportunities, innovative solutions or unimagined benefits.
3/ Problem solving
It can be used to solve problems by examining how specific changes affect the outcome. This can help find effective solutions by considering new perspectives.
4/ Adaptability
The expansion encourages adaptive thinking by allowing you to explore different directions without committing to a specific path. This provides the flexibility to quickly adapt approaches to changing outcomes and needs.
Successful examples of expansion
History is full of examples of success through the application of the method. A famous example is that of the ice cream manufacturer Ben & Jerry’s. When Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield decided to expand their product range, they increased the amount of delicious ingredients in their ice cream, creating unique and delicious flavors. This approach has contributed to the brand’s success by offering consumers ice creams with unique flavor combinations.
Some tools and best practices
There are further tools and tips for the practical implementation of the method:
1/ Group brainstorming :
Conduct group brainstorming sessions to explore different expansion opportunities together. Interacting with other people can lead to new and unexpected ideas.
2/ Use of mind maps :
Create mind maps to visualize the original idea and the different possible expansion options. This can help you organize your thoughts and see connections between different elements.
3/ Ask provocative questions :
Challenge your thinking by asking yourself provocative questions. For example: “What would happen if we increased the size of this project by 10?” or “How could we do the complete opposite of the original idea?” »
4/ Use of related creativity techniques :
Combine the method with other creative thinking techniques such as the SCAMPER method (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Carry, Eliminate, Rearrange) to enrich your thinking.
5/ Explore extreme scenarios :
Take expansion to the extreme by exploring radical scenarios. Think about what would happen if you amplified some aspect of the idea beyond the limits of reality.