In the world of rapid information flow, asking the right questions is often more important than knowing the answers. Dave Gray offers an interesting paradigm of questions to help us process information:
A prism is a question that divides information into smaller groups. The purpose of a prism is to break down information into categories or subgroups…
A razor is a question that divides information into two categories, based on relevance. The purpose of a razor is to define a boundary which can be used to sort any incoming information, and determine whether it lies inside our outside the boundary…
A generator is a question that has a potentially unlimited number of answers. The purpose of a generator is to explore new or unknown territory and to find knowledge that may be hidden and make it explicit…
A peeler is a single question that, when repeated, drives attention to deeper and deeper levels, like the peeling of an onion. The purpose of a peeler is to penetrate beyond superficial levels in order to get to the heart of the matter…
A flanker is a question that seeks patterns or ideas that are similar. The purpose of a flanker is to think laterally and find an analogous situation that may help you think about things differently…
A splicer is a question that combines information, or sets, into groups. The purpose of a splicer is to find larger categories and simplify collections of information…
A pointer is a question that has a well-defined or broadly agreed-upon answer, or set of answers. The purpose of a pointer is to gather specific information…
A razor is a question that divides information into two categories, based on relevance. The purpose of a razor is to define a boundary which can be used to sort any incoming information, and determine whether it lies inside our outside the boundary…
A generator is a question that has a potentially unlimited number of answers. The purpose of a generator is to explore new or unknown territory and to find knowledge that may be hidden and make it explicit…
A peeler is a single question that, when repeated, drives attention to deeper and deeper levels, like the peeling of an onion. The purpose of a peeler is to penetrate beyond superficial levels in order to get to the heart of the matter…
A flanker is a question that seeks patterns or ideas that are similar. The purpose of a flanker is to think laterally and find an analogous situation that may help you think about things differently…
A splicer is a question that combines information, or sets, into groups. The purpose of a splicer is to find larger categories and simplify collections of information…
A pointer is a question that has a well-defined or broadly agreed-upon answer, or set of answers. The purpose of a pointer is to gather specific information…
Check out the full article for the visual representations of the question types and specific examples of their use.
The converging technologies of information and communications are shattering any and all barriers, empowering new players, and completely rewriting the rules of international business competition for individuals, companies, and entire countries.
Posted by: Everything Counts | June 11, 2009 at 09:30 AM