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Simple & Pragmatic Problem Solving
#96Chapter 6: Group Creative Option Generation• Group Creative OptionsAnthropological, Structured and Visual (Ethnographic & Diagrammatic) ThinkingGroup Mode2-3 Hours(Moderate to time-consuming)

TKJ Method

From the book "Advanced Problem-Solving Toolbox: 115 Creative Plays" | Compiled & Edited by: Mojtaba Goudarzi, Open translation: Mehrshid Goudarzi
Executive Synopsis & Core Logic:

Famous technique of Japanese anthropologist Jiro Kawakita; Verbal-visual two-phase process for deep definition of the problem and then generating solutions using standard cards, conceptual naming of clusters and drawing correlation diagrams.

Operational Parameters & Specifications

Category
Group Creative Options
Dominant Thinking
Anthropological, Structured and Visual (Ethnographic & Diagrammatic)
Participation
Group
Estimated TimeModerate to time-consuming
2-3 Hours
Workshop
Input Format
3x5 index cards for problem definition, 7x12 cards for solutions
Output Format
Clear definition of the problem and structural diagram of solutions
Key Application
design and development of technological products, strategic planning in the health system, management of urban issues and Design Thinking workshops.
Core Differentiator:

Rigid separation of the session into two distinct phases (phase 1: achieving a consensus definition of what the problem is with 3x5 cards; phase 2: solving the problem with larger cards) with visual coding.

Quick Field Example:

In order to solve the problem of overcrowding in the emergency room, a hospital first reaches the common definition of 'triage burnout and bed shortage' in the first phase of TKJ with 20 cards, and then in the second phase, it diagrams parallel triage solutions.

Operational Benefits & Implementation Risks

Advantages & Value Creation:

Avoid wrong problem solving, create deep empathy and structural consensus in the team, unique combination of verbal thinking with visual and map thinking.

Risks & Potential Trade-offs:

requires sufficient time and commitment to execute both phases accurately, requiring physical tools, cards, and a large workshop space.

Real-World Organizational & Industry Scenarios

Hospital and health management: analyzing the obstacles of the patient admission process and developing triage protocols with the TKJ method.
Development of digital products: accurate definition of hidden user needs and then architecture design of application features.
Community-based and urban planning: Identifying the roots of crime in a neighborhood and constructing social solution diagrams.

Strategic Rationale & Why to Apply

1Half the solution is getting the problem right: most teams rush to the solution while misunderstanding the problem.
2Conceptually naming categories works wonders: reducing raw data to a few precise abstract concepts frees up the brain's cognitive load.
3Random Card Exchange Kills Bias: When you have other people's cards in your hand, the bias to defend your own idea disappears.
4Combination of vocabulary and diagram: The human mind creates organic solutions by seeing communication arrows between clusters.

Conceptual Framework & Book Method Description

"TKJ method" was invented in 1964 by Jiro Kawakita, a professor of anthropology at Tokyo Institute of Technology based on the famous KJ method. This method has two structured phases: In the first phase (problem definition), members write 15 to 20 angles of the problem on 3x5 cards. The cards are randomly distributed, read aloud, clustered, and a metaphorical noun is chosen for each cluster to formulate a common problem statement. In the second phase (problem solving), the solutions are written on 12x7 cards, grouped in the same way and drawn on the final diagram.

Step-by-Step Real-World Implementation Scenario

defining and solving the problem of financial service application user drop with the TKJ method
1
Step 1: Phase 1 of TKJ - Writing 5x3 cards Problem definitionThe team wrote more than 50 cards in 10 minutes: 'Second password complexity', 'Image authentication length', 'Fear of data theft' and...
2
Step 2: Random distribution and cluster namingThe cards were randomly distributed; By reading the cards, 3 main clusters were formed and named: 'initial barrier to entry', 'user psychological distress' and 'ambiguity in initial value'.
3
Step 3: Drafting a Consensus Statement of the Problem StatementThe team agreed: 'The problem is the user's anxiety at the first entry, not the variety of services'.
4
Step 4: Phase II of TKJ - Raining Solutions on 12x7 CardsMembers wrote solutions to relieve anxiety: password-free fingerprint login, step-by-step interactive tutorial tour, and free transaction insurance guarantee.
5
Step 5: Draw the relationship diagram and implement the solutionThe solution cards were drawn on the wall in the form of a dependency diagram; The implementation of this route reduced the drop of new users by 68% in the first week.

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