Morphological analysis (creativity technique)

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The morphological analysis is a creative heuristic method to complex problem areas to fully grasp and to consider all possible solutions without prejudice.

It takes place in a group of up to seven people, which expands the knowledge and ideas potential. The implementation is controlled by a moderator and takes about half an hour to two hours.

Together with the analysis of the problem, it is advisable to generalize the question. This expands the problem area with the aim of finding original solutions. The morphological analysis makes use of the morphological box, the descriptive image of a multi-dimensional matrix.

Morphological box (Zwicky box)

The morphological box is a systematic heuristic creativity technique based on the Swiss astrophysicist Fritz Zwicky (1898–1974). The multi-dimensional matrix forms the core of the morphological analysis.

method

  1. For a question, the defining characteristics (also called attributes, factors, parameters, dimensions) are specified and written below one another. It is important to ensure that the characteristics are independent of one another and that they can also be implemented (operationalized) with regard to the task at hand.
  2. Then all possible values ​​of the respective feature are written to the right. This creates a matrix in which every combination of characteristics of all characteristics is a theoretically possible solution.
  3. Then one value of the feature is selected from each line, creating a combination of values. This can be done in two ways:
  • Systematic: e.g. B. by using the multifactor method, thereby limiting the number of features and characteristics.
  • Intuitive: The person working on the matrix looks at the matrix and selects a characteristic from each line. The resulting line is then viewed as a holistic alternative solution.
This selection process is carried out several times. Ideas are developed with the resulting combinations of characteristics.

Are z. If, for example, you have three features, you can think of the three features as the axes of a box - that is, a three-dimensional matrix. On each axis, one further thinks of the respective characteristics of the characteristic. A combination of three values ​​then provides a point within the box.

This can be generalized from three to any number (n) of features, resulting in n-dimensional boxes. However, it seems sensible to choose only five to ten features and characteristics, since otherwise the many possible solutions are practically no longer manageable.

In order to limit the number of solutions, it is possible to reduce the number of features by increasing their degree of complexity (e.g. by using higher-level terms) or to weight the features and characteristics.

example

A new table is to be developed

Number of legs 0 1 3 4th 5 100
material Wood Glass plastic cork material rubber
Height in centimeters 0 20th 50 70 100 200
shape round square rectangular

Idea : no legs, glass, 100 cm, round:
the table floats - e.g. B. suspended from the ceiling.

experience

In the case of complex problems, it is useful to work in a group in order to promote the diversity of the solutions. When looking for characteristics of the developed characteristics, it can often be advantageous to use another group that does not yet know the original task. This can avoid conceivable barriers and produce original solutions.

Problems can arise when working out the essential characteristics and defining the characteristics and their characteristics. The evaluation of a very large number of solutions is also problematic. When it comes to the selection decision, it often happens that groups that are too large are inefficient.

The method cannot produce radical innovations because the space of possible properties is limited from the outset by the chosen dimensions of the matrix. The floating table in the example was not created by a combination of parameter values, but by choosing the number of table legs as a dimension. This is where the real creative step lies, because it is not obvious to make this property available.

Alternatives

Preparatory techniques for generating ideas are:

Other special problem solving techniques are:

See also

Creativity techniques

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Manfred Schulte-Zurhausen : Organization . 3. Edition. 2002, p. 562
  2. ^ A b c Siemens AG (Ed.): Organizational planning . 8th edition. Pp. 158-160

literature

  • Fritz Zwicky: Morphological research . Winterthur, 1959, new edition. Glarus: Baeschlin, 1989
  • Fritz Zwicky: Discovering, inventing, researching in the morphological worldview , Munich, Zurich, Droemer / Knaur, 1966

Web links