Assumption Reversal
Creative technique that challenges existing assumptions by deliberately reversing them to generate new perspectives and breakthrough ideas.
Also known as: Reverse assumptions, Assumption challenging, Flip the assumption
Category: Techniques
Tags: creativity, problem-solving, critical-thinking, techniques
Explanation
Assumption Reversal is a creativity technique that systematically identifies the assumptions underlying a situation and then deliberately reverses them to generate new perspectives. By questioning what we take for granted, we discover opportunities hidden by conventional thinking.
The Process:
1. State the problem or situation clearly
2. List all assumptions about how things work, what's required, what's impossible
3. Reverse each assumption (if you assume X, consider not-X)
4. Explore the implications of each reversal
5. Identify which reversals suggest viable innovations
Example: Restaurant industry assumption: "Customers come to us." Reversal: "We go to customers." This reversal led to food trucks, delivery services, and ghost kitchens.
Types of assumptions to reverse:
- Process assumptions: "It must be done this way"
- Role assumptions: "These people do this task"
- Time assumptions: "It takes this long"
- Resource assumptions: "You need these inputs"
- Value assumptions: "Customers want this"
- Constraint assumptions: "This is impossible"
Why Assumption Reversal works: Most problems are defined within invisible boundaries of assumptions. These assumptions feel like facts but are often arbitrary conventions. Reversing them reveals that many "rules" are negotiable.
Related techniques: Assumption reversal connects to reframing (changing how you see a problem), challenging the brief (questioning whether you're solving the right problem), and first principles thinking (rebuilding from fundamentals).
Caution: Not all reversals are feasible. The goal is to generate possibilities, which then require evaluation through convergent thinking.
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