Frame creation thinks forward to identify solutions

Frames that have been identified in the exploration of themes are explored in a forward-facing pattern of design abduction—to what extent does a given frame point to a future resolution of the problem?

After a proposed frame is applied to the opened, broadened problem situation, it is then reshaped in a process of Coevolution. Through these investigations, we are seeking assurance that the frame can potentially lead to realistic and viable solutions. This is a “thinking forward” exercise which is part of “design abduction” ... Only by proposing both a pattern of relationships and a design will we generate the feedback about whether we are on the right track in adopting a frame. ^[1]

Expert designers develop an intuition of the likelihood of a frame proving to be “fruitful.”

Experts tend to talk about this process of proposing and trying out frame ideas in terms of “fruitfulness”: will a frame steer us in a promising direction, allowing us to generate multiple sensible solutions or not? Experts with years of experience will have built up an acute intuition about which frames will be fruitful and lead to results and which will not. Without this kind of experience and gut feeling, the exploration of future scenarios can be very time-consuming. In parallel with the development of these ideas, we also need to develop a fledgling version of the value proposition for all of the parties involved. A frame and the solution ideas it generates are only as good as the interest and commitment they spark in the parties who are needed to implement them.^[2]

#design #innovation-creativity #frame-innovation

The nine steps of frame creation:

1. Archaeology – Investigate who has already tried what to solve the problem.
2. Paradox – Understand the core paradox of the problem.
3. Context – Learn practices and scenarios that may suggest a solution.
4. Field – Consider all stakeholders of the problem and solution.
5. Themes – Seek to understand the root factors of stakeholders.
6. Frames – Identify common themes as the basis for frames.
7. Futures – “Think forward” to identify solutions.
8. Transformation – Develop a plan for transformation.
9. Integration – Integrate solutions into the stakeholder context.