Jon Acuff used only 100 words to restrict a recent post.

Restrictions can drive creativity like toothpaste channelled through a narrow opening. You can concentrate your brain squeezings onto a precise AND ACTIONABLE solution.

Toothpaste everywhere doesn’t help you brush your teeth.

Tim Brown, IDEO, says that leaders need to define Purpose (goal), Challenges (stepping stones to get there), and Vision (defines constraints because some stones wont lead to the goal).

CHALLENGE

Constraints are sometimes imposed upon the innovator. Try this challenge for your next ideation session.

Roll one six-sided die, and based on the roll, apply the following constraint to your ideas.

1: No new technology; use what exists.

2: Focus on only untapped customer segments.

3: All solutions must start with a person-to-person interaction.

4: The idea must not include any training; intuitive at its highest power.

5: You can only use print material in your solution.

6: Your solution must have playable game elements.

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