5 easy steps to simplify any creative problem-solving process?

Eric Ethington wrote an article for The Lean Post about “5 easy steps to simplify the A3 process”. Essentially…

1. Create a collection template, that is, predefine the categories you’ll use to organise;
2. Dump your thoughts out first without categorising;
3. Sort the thoughts into your collection template;
4. Organise the thoughts in each category to create a better narrative flow;
5. Refine to create your first overall draft.

This approach reminded me of something called “Spew, Then Organise”, that is, write out all your thoughts first and worry about organising it into a coherent structure later. I like Eric’s adjustment of predefining the collection template to ensure we don’t miss key aspects that don’t come out of the initial spewing of thoughts.

This approach also seems generally applicable beyond A3s. I recently used it for a planning exercise using the Table Group’s Thematic Goal, Defining Objectives, Standard Operating Objectives model as the collection template.