Creativity Challenge 22

Arthur B. (Andy) VanGundy, Jr's 1988 book TECHNIQUES OR STRUCTURED PROBLEM SOLVING (that's a grabbing title, ha ha) Second Edition published by Van Nostrand ISBN 0-442-28847

If you haven't read any of Andy's several books about creative thinking tools you are missing a tremendous group of great resources. Two of his latest are....

BRAIN BOOSTERS FOR BUSINESS ADVANTAGE
Ticklers, Grab Bags, Blue Skies and Other Bionic Ideas published by Pfeiffer & Company

IDEA POWER
(I can't find it at the moment)

The "sparking technique" can be found on page 49, it is called

3.04 Progressive Abstractions
It is a tool for generating alternative problem definitions. The process goes this way....

1. Write down a general statement of the problem.
    
   
2. Generate possible problem solutions by asking the question, What is the ESSENTIAL problem?
    
   
3. Examine the solutions and develop a new problem definition.
    
   
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until solutions exceed existing skills & resources or solutions are outside your sphere of influence
    
   
5. Select a satisfactory problem definition (or one that reaches out and grabs you - editorial comment) and begin generating new ideas.

So your challenge is the following.

Use the PROGRESSIVE ABSTRACTIONS tool on the following initial problem.

PROBLEM General Statement

1. Grocery store layouts are confusing and very time-consuming.
    
   
2. What is the ESSENTIAL PROBLEM(S)?
   Write at least 4 no more than 12.
    
   
3. Develop a new PROBLEM STATEMENT for at least 4.
    
   
4. Exceed your current resources and skills in solving the challenge.
    
   
5. Select your favorite re-statement or new statement and then generate 4 to 12 potential solutions.