Vertical thinking

Vertical Thinking

Vertical thinking is a powerful problem-solving method used in many different fields of knowledge. It involves taking an abstract problem and breaking it down into its individual components, then examining each component in order to find a resolution. It is a convenient way to approach a problem since it encourages a deeper analysis by looking at all of its various parts. It can be applied to many different types of problems, from simple everyday problems to complex scientific and organizational ones.

The concept of vertical thinking was likely first used in the 1940s. It was created by Robert E. Horn, an American scientist who was trying to improve the problem solving techniques used by organizations. From his efforts, vertical thinking became an important problem-solving tool and is still widely used today.

Vertical thinking starts with identifying the problem and looking at it in detail. Once the problem is understood, it can be broken down into its individual components. Then each component can be evaluated visually as a way of understanding how they interact and affect one another. This enables the person to gain a better understanding of the problem, as well as the potential solutions.

This analytical approach encourages creativity, as it helps individuals determine what factors are contributing to the problem and how to solve it. Additionally, this way of analyzing a problem enables efficient decision-making, since it considers all of the possible inputs and outcomes. In addition to being a useful tool for problem-solving, vertical thinking can also be used for good brainstorming. It presents the opportunity to explore various ideas by examining them individually and collectively.

Vertical thinking is also useful for analyzing systems, such as organizational and business models. By breaking them down into their individual pieces and looking at how they interact, it is possible to identify any issues or inefficiencies in the system. This can help to improve operations, processes, and overall performance.

Overall, vertical thinking is a valuable tool used in many fields. It allows individuals to take a problem and look at it in a creative, but analytical manner to come up with potential solutions. It can also be used to evaluate systems, helping to identify areas where better performance can be achieved. As such, it is a technique anyone can employ in a variety of situations.