ABSTRACT
This chapter examines number of techniques that have been tried out in recent times to achieve breakthrough ideas. Visualisation, symbolic representation and rich pictures are all mechanisms that can support this kind of thinking. The chapter also discusses two other mechanisms: wishful thinking and role play. It presents the benefits that disruptive technologies can bring for those who discover and commercialise them. Such breakthroughs reflect paradigm shifts or breakthroughs. The techniques can require a degree of divergent thinking, though experience and knowledge of the subject matter is vitally important. As group creative problem-solving techniques, both of these qualities need to be present. Paradigm-breaking techniques can help participants to develop fantasies that may help them to generate novel ideas. The chapter shows that the 'fantasy analogy' mechanism employed in synectics could lead to paradigm shifts. It looks at vision building and symbolic representation. The chapter also looks at the use of rich pictures.
