CVS CVS Creative Thinking and Idea Generation Questions and Answers 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a value engineering workshop, a team leader notices participants are only proposing minor cost-trimming ideas. Which technique best pushes the team toward more radical alternatives?
- Asking participants to challenge the basic function assumptions of the design (Correct answer)
- Extending the session by another hour
- Assigning each idea a cost estimate immediately
- Limiting participation to senior engineers only
Correct answer: Asking participants to challenge the basic function assumptions of the design
Challenging basic function assumptions reframes the problem and opens the door to radical, higher-value alternatives.
Question 2: In the Value Methodology Job Plan, what is the primary output of the Creative (Speculation) Phase?
- A large quantity of unevaluated ideas for accomplishing functions (Correct answer)
- A ranked list of cost-reduction targets
- A detailed implementation schedule
- A finalized FAST diagram
Correct answer: A large quantity of unevaluated ideas for accomplishing functions
The Creative Phase aims to generate the maximum quantity of ideas on functions, deferring all evaluation to later phases.
Question 3: A facilitator says, 'How else might we achieve the function transmit torque?' rather than 'How can we cheapen the driveshaft?' Why is the function-based phrasing more effective for idea generation?
- It removes the mental anchor of the existing solution, broadening the search space (Correct answer)
- It ensures ideas stay within the current technology
- It guarantees lower implementation cost
- It makes cost estimating easier during brainstorming
Correct answer: It removes the mental anchor of the existing solution, broadening the search space
Speculating on functions rather than parts detaches the team from the current design and expands the solution space.
Question 4: Which behavior by a workshop participant most directly violates the rules of classic brainstorming during the Creative Phase?
- Saying 'That idea would never pass code requirements' right after it is proposed (Correct answer)
- Building a new idea on top of a teammate's suggestion
- Offering an idea that seems impractical
- Proposing many ideas in rapid succession
Correct answer: Saying 'That idea would never pass code requirements' right after it is proposed
Immediate criticism violates the deferred-judgment rule that protects the free flow of ideas.
Question 5: A value study team is stuck generating variations of the same concept. Applying the SCAMPER checklist, which prompt would introduce the most different direction?
- Reverse or rearrange the sequence in which the product's functions are performed (Correct answer)
- Slightly reduce the wall thickness of the current housing
- Re-quote the current material with another supplier
- Tighten tolerances on the existing assembly
Correct answer: Reverse or rearrange the sequence in which the product's functions are performed
The Reverse/Rearrange prompt in SCAMPER forces a structurally different concept instead of a parameter tweak.
Question 6: Why do value methodology practitioners deliberately separate the Creative Phase from the Evaluation Phase?
- Because judging ideas while generating them suppresses the flow and quantity of ideas (Correct answer)
- Because evaluation requires different software tools
- Because sponsors are only available for evaluation meetings
- Because ideas must be patented before they can be judged
Correct answer: Because judging ideas while generating them suppresses the flow and quantity of ideas
Mixing judgment with generation inhibits creativity, so the phases are intentionally kept separate.
Question 7: A team uses the technique of forcing a relationship between the study object and a randomly chosen word ('coral reef') to spark ideas. What is this creativity technique commonly called?
- Random stimulus (forced association) (Correct answer)
- Pareto analysis
- Function cost matrix
- Weighted evaluation
Correct answer: Random stimulus (forced association)
Forcing connections with an unrelated random word is the random stimulus or forced association technique.
CVS CVS Creative Thinking and Idea Generation Questions and Answers 4
During a value engineering workshop, a team leader notices participants are only proposing minor cost-trimming ideas.
Which technique best pushes the team toward more radical alternatives?