Attribute Listing

An idea generation and problem-solving technique which involves listing out as many of the features of the problem, issue or challenges which are being faced.

This will help generate ideas, and the consequences of actions from them, for how to potentially improve the situation.

An example might be, if you wanted to reduce or eliminate synthetic pesticide applications, what might be the problem, challenges and consequences with this? Various possibilities might be considered, such as:

• Cost – saving money, at least from the buying and storage of pesticides. However, this might incur other expenses by having to implement additional control methods: physical, cultural or biological.
• Surface quality. How might it affect this and how might this impact on user satisfaction? If there is a perceived negative reaction to this solution, how might this be turned into a positive?
• Increased disease, especially in the short term until better disease resistance has been built up. What impact would this have on quality and user satisfaction?
• What are the environmental benefits? Can these be communicated in a way which demonstrates greater benefits for all, even if there was a reduction in quality? How much of a reduction would there be and what is the trade-off between acceptable and unacceptable?

The list can include anything you like. It would depend on what it is you are generating ideas for, so consider physical characteristics such as size, solubility, ease of handling etc.; process actions, or whether physiological influences might be involved.