A table for distilling a wide array of perceptions into a singular, coherent problem statement.
Combines de Bono's OPV, Other People's Views (Edward de Bono, CoRT Thinking Program, 1973), the three perceptual positions (John Grinder and Judith DeLozier, Turtles All the Way Down, 1987), and the fixed-lens table of the Reframing Matrix (Michael Morgan, Creating Workforce Innovation, 1993), set in the restate-then-converge frame of Creative Problem Solving (Alex F. Osborn and Sidney J. Parnes, 1953 and 1967).
What it is for
The purpose of the Holistic Perspective Harmonizer thinking tool is to enrich the understanding of a situation by embracing the diversity of viewpoints. Recognizing that individuals may see problems and opportunities through different lenses, this tool seeks to compile these varied perspectives to form a more complete picture. By doing so, it aims to facilitate a more effective and empathetic problem-solving approach.
The Holistic Perspective Harmonizer is used by actively soliciting the views and experiences of different stakeholders involved or affected by the issue at hand. This includes not only those responsible for resolving the problem but also those who experience its impact, those who are distant from the situation, and even those who may disagree with the prevailing opinion. By considering these different angles, biases can be identified and mitigated, allowing for a more objective reevaluation of the issue.
Ultimately, this tool helps to distill a wide array of perceptions into a singular, coherent problem statement that accurately reflects the complexities of the real-world scenario. It encourages inclusive dialogue and deeper analysis, leading to solutions that are considerate of all angles and implications.
Why use it
Issues and chances are seen differently by different people. What seems like a problem or chance to one person might not seem the same to someone else. It's important to try and see things from other people's perspectives to understand a situation better.
How to use it
Use this method to gather various opinions on a topic. Feel free to include as many different viewpoints as necessary.
One problem restated from six viewpoints, then consolidated
Restate the original problem, recast it from each viewpoint in turn, and consolidate all of them into one problem statement at the foot. Copy the canvas when you are done; nothing is saved.
Original Problem/Opportunity
Restate the original problem, opportunity, or situation.
Owner's Perspective
Describe the issue from the viewpoint of the person tasked with solving it.
Empathy Perspective
Recast the issue from the perspective of others directly affected by it.
External Perspective
Guess how those who aren't closely involved might perceive the issue.
Contrary Perspective
Express the issue from the standpoint of someone who has the opposite opinion.
Unbiased Perspective
Recognize and set aside your biases, then redefine the issue from a neutral stance.
Additional Perspectives
Include any other relevant viewpoints that could shed more light on the issue.
Bring the views together
Final Problem Statement
Consolidate all perspectives into a comprehensive problem or opportunity statement.
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Where it fits
The process recommends it at Writing the Problem Statement, the second step of the State phase, whose product is the statement this table ends in. Its sibling, Perspective Pivot Workshop, turns the problem through nine analytic lenses and stops there; this tool asks who sees the problem and how, and ends in one consolidated statement. When the contrary view needs more than a row, Constructive Contrarian Guide runs it as a role.
Related tools
- Six Thinking Hats (de Bono)
- Empathy Map (Gray, Brown, and Macanufo)
- Persona Shifting (Schwartz, Cooper, and Ury)
- Steelmanning (Mill, Muehlhauser, and Dennett)