Preparation: The process of becoming aware of the problem, through experiencing or observing it, and assembling information. This often involves deep immersion in the problem, sometimes leading to a sense of confusion.
Incubation: A stage often involving distraction, in which the problem is set aside or temporarily forgotten, enabling the unconscious mind to work on it.
Inspiration: The 'Eureka' experience, in which a new insight is acquired, sometimes as a result of an apparently unrelated stimulus.
Elaboration: This is the beginning of the convergent phase, in which the implications of the discovery are explored, and it is shared with others.
Evaluation: The solution is applied to the problem and its effectiveness assessed.
Revision: If necessary, the solution is modified or refined to improve its effectiveness; or, alternatively, it is rejected and the search process begins anew.
Dissemination: The innovation is converted into a form that can be replicated and distributed.
Embedding: The innovation becomes a semi-permanent feature in the organisation or sector to which it relates.
Overall evaluation: The success of the innovation on the large scale is assessed.
synetics.doc (316,5 KB)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synectics
