Divergent Thinking
Definition
The process of generating many options without judgment or filtering.
Divergent thinking is the "expand" phase of "Expand Then Contract." In PIPS, it happens in Step 3 (Generate) when the team uses brainstorming and brainwriting to produce as many solution ideas as possible. Judgment is explicitly deferred — no criticism, no evaluation, no filtering. The more ideas generated, the higher the probability of finding an innovative solution.
Related Tools
Related Terms
Convergent Thinking
The process of narrowing options to select the best solution using objective criteria.
Expand Then Contract
The PIPS principle of first generating many options (diverge) then selecting the best (converge).
Brainstorming
A group idea generation technique where judgment is deferred to maximize creative output.
Where This Fits in the PIPS Methodology
This concept is used in Step 3: Generate — Brainstorm solutions (brainwriting, brainstorming).
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