Random word technique
Let random words stimulate you to generate new ideas
Want to see how the Random word technique fits alongside other ideation methods? Explore our Creativity Techniques overview.
Description
The popular and easy creativity technique “Random word technique” uses random buzzwords as mental trampolines to find new ideas. These buzzwords are not related to the main problem.
Instructions
1. Describe the problem you want to solve (e.g. "Improve canteen")
2. Name something that has nothing to do with your problem (e.g. "frog")
3. Describe the properties (e.g. "it's green")
4. Try to come up with new ideas to solve your problem with the help of the properties (e.g. "it's green" = "salad bar")
Example
A family is thinking about its next holiday destination. The buzzword “pocketknife” is associated with the concept “Almost everything you need in a compact space” by one of the family members, so he suggests renting a camper van and riding on it for the holidays.
Random word technique is one of the most creative methods for enterprise workshops. Learn how structured facilitation and fair evaluation come together in our Innovation Workshop Playbook.