7.9 Creative Generation Strategy

Systematically generate innovative solutions using multiple creativity methodologies. Launch on platform.

What is it?

Dragonfly's Creative Generation Strategy Lens is a disciplined generator that evaluates seven creativity strategies, selects the best approaches based on weighted criteria, executes them deeply, evolves the results, and returns a compact, decision-grade portfolio of innovative solutions. It systematically applies creativity methodologies including Distance Association, Forced Connections, Conceptual Blending, Oblique Strategies, Replacement Template, SCAMPER, and Assumption Reversal to generate novel, coherent, and practical solutions tailored to specific constraints and goals.

Why is it useful?

• Break through conventional thinking by applying the most appropriate creative strategy for your specific context and constraints

• Generate diverse portfolios of actionable innovations with explicit mechanisms rather than vague ideas

• Ensure rapid pilotability with concrete 2-week experiment plans for each concept

• Apply systematic creativity rather than relying on inspiration or brainstorming sessions

• Balance novelty with practicality through weighted scoring across five criteria

• Produce calibrated confidence levels and risk assessments for each generated concept

How does it work?

The Creative Generation Strategy Lens applies systematic creativity methodology to generate, evaluate, and refine innovative solutions through a structured process.

Strategy Fit Assessment and Selection

• Focus: Score each of seven creativity strategies on five criteria (Novelty, Coherence, Practicality, Speed, Trait Enforcement) and select the optimal approach

• Example: For a challenge requiring guaranteed safety compliance, selecting Replacement Template (RT) due to high Trait Enforcement scores, while a breakthrough innovation challenge would favor Distance Association (DA) or Conceptual Blending (CB) for maximum novelty

Distance Association Analysis

• Focus: Generate concepts by finding connections at varying conceptual distances from an anchor point

• Example: For improving hospital patient experience, mapping associations at near (hotels), medium (theme parks), and far (video games) distances to discover that "game save points" concept translates to "progress checkpoints" in patient recovery journeys

Forced Connections and Conceptual Blending

• Focus: Create hybrids by mapping mechanisms from distant domains or blending rich conceptual schemas to produce emergent solutions

• Example: Blending "auction dynamics" with "employee scheduling" to create emergent mechanism where shift preferences are allocated through internal bidding system, producing fairness and revealed preferences

SCAMPER Transformation Analysis

• Focus: Transform baseline solutions through systematic operations—Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put-to-other-use, Eliminate, Reverse

• Example: Applying "Reverse" operation to traditional training programs, creating peer-teaching models where new employees teach experienced staff about digital tools while learning institutional knowledge

Assumption Reversal and Oblique Strategies

• Focus: Generate radical alternatives by reversing foundational assumptions or applying provocative directives to reframe problems

• Example: Reversing assumption "customers must come to us" reveals delivery, mobile services, and embedded partnerships as solution space; applying oblique strategy "Honor thy error as a hidden intention" transforms service failures into relationship-building opportunities

Portfolio Evolution and Selection

• Focus: Mutate top concepts, create crossover hybrids, and select final portfolio ensuring diversity across mechanisms and implementation surfaces

• Example: Selecting final five concepts that span technology, process, policy, and culture levers, each with named mechanism, 2-week pilot plan, risk assessment, and confidence score from 1-5

Turning Creative Generation into Action

• Apply systematic creativity evaluation rather than relying on gut instinct about which ideation approach to use

• Ensure every generated concept includes explicit mechanisms, rapid pilot plans, and calibrated confidence levels rather than abstract ideas

• Design concept portfolios with maximum diversity across implementation surfaces to avoid over-indexing on familiar solution types