Question

) A colleague of yours wishes to generate a research idea in the area of supply chain management. He has examined his own strength and interests on the basis of his assignments and has read some review articles, but has failed to find an idea about which he is excited. He comes and asks you for advice. Suggest three (3) techniques that your colleague could use and justify your choice.

Answer 1

Answer) Idea generation is a thought process involving our thoughts ,existing things,assumptions and problems,it is combining such different elements and turn it into something meaningful,following are the three techniques which can be used to generate ideas(with examples from supply chain field)

1. What if analysis-Consider different questions about an existing model and analyze it through different models such as what if instead of trucks in a model something more cost efficient can be used or what if a particular project would be used in different circumstance,what modifications would it require or how can a current model be made better like if a supply chain model requires 3 days to complete,what idea can help it get done in 2 days.
2. Writer 's block-A lot of times writers are unable to think of what to write,the best way to proceed is to write everything you know or everything you want should be there or things which you are not aware of and make a kind of draft,similatly our friend here can think everything s/he knows about subject,does want to know and what s/he feels is important to know,once everything is there,ideas will start coming out.
3. What would legends do-Think of a person you really admire,like in supply chain field think of a legend ehich could be your teacher,someone who has built some model in supply chain field or someone who is head of supply chain side of company you admire,talk to them,listen to how they work ,how they generate ideas and solve problems,what according to them is the need in supply chain field and then process all those thoughts into a focused idea.

Thus above 3 techniques can not only help you to generate new ideas but think of subject and problem in a completely different light.

Answer is complete.Thank you!