InnosupportLeonardo Project
    Help Print
4.4.3. General proceedings for using Analogical Reasoning

How to structure the search for analogies?

First, we have to find a suitable analogy for our problem.
 
Possible objects of producing analogies:
 
  • System
    • Structure
      • Elements (form, colour, material, physical state)
      • Relation between such elements
    • Function
  • Environment of the system

Where to search for analogies?

Suitable analogies can be found in different fields of work or disciplines which seem to be “distant” from each other. Therefore, for the composition of a work group, experts from different fields are useful (technicians, doctors, biologists etc.)

Useful branches to look for analogies may be:

Nature: we all know about surprising solutions by using examples from nature (the durability of a spider net, the orientation of bats), which have been transferred and used for technical solutions. There is a whole scientific discipline dealing with this topic - BIONICS.
There are lots of problems we are trying to solve which animals and plants have already solved.
 
Other cultures, other technical disciplines, art, medicine, science, history are useful fields to search for analogies.
 
In looking for analogies from “distant“ fields of work, solution concepts can be developed that are completely different from the original context of our problem. So they can lead to innovative solutions.
 
Prerequisites:
  • Clear definition of the problem
  • Available knowledge in different levels/expertise of different fields of knowledge (natural science, technical expertise, medicine…) – group work with experts from “distant” fields can be very useful
  • Capability to “see” similar structures/functions in a different field of knowledge
  • Abilities to transfer found similarities to the problem situation which has to be solved
  • Knowledge about available sources of knowledge- databases, experts… - and abilities to use them

 

 

From the point of view of patent protection analogies should be found in fields which are “farther away” if this is possible!

27 / 51    



glossary

a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h |
i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p |
q | r | s | t | u | v | w | x |
y | z |
all |



downloads



    ^ top