Standard Thinking Methods, Reimagined for the AI Era

What Are Thinking Methods?

Thinking methods are structured approaches to generating ideas, identifying and solving problems, organizing information, and making decisions. By following certain perspectives, procedures, or rules, they aim to improve the quality of thinking. They help us explore possibilities, recognize overlooked perspectives, and deepen our understanding beyond what unstructured thinking might achieve.

When thinking processes have identifiable procedures or structures, they also offer opportunities for computer and AI assistance. ThinkNavi introduces a wide range of thinking methods, from classical creativity techniques to modern mathematical approaches, while exploring how these methods can be applied and further developed in the age of AI.

Explore Thinking Methods

ThinkNavi is a knowledge resource covering a wide range of thinking methods, including idea generation, creativity techniques, logical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making. It also explores the theoretical foundations of thinking through philosophy, logic, and cognitive science, and provides free tools to help you put these methods into practice.

Find Methods by Purpose

Not sure which method to use? Start with what you want to accomplish.

Generate New Ideas | Identify the Real Problem | Organize Information | Develop Hypotheses | Analyze Causes | Evaluate Alternatives | Build Consensus

Encyclopedia of Thinking Methods

Discover thinking methods organized by their purposes and characteristics.

• Idea Generation & Creativity — Brainstorming, SCAMPER, Synectics, TRIZ, Lateral Thinking
• Problem Finding & Problem Solving — Five Whys, Cause-and-Effect Diagram, Problem Structuring, Design Thinking, Root Cause Analysis
• Information Organization & Structuring — Affinity Diagrams (KJ Method), Mind Mapping, Concept Mapping, MECE
• Logical Thinking & Reasoning — Deduction/Induction/Abduction, Critical Thinking, Argument Analysis
• Analogy & Concept Exploration — Analogical Reasoning, Structure Mapping, Abstraction, Conceptual Combination, Cross-Domain Exploration
• Systems Thinking & Causal Analysis — Systems Thinking, Causal Loop Diagrams, System Dynamics, Bayesian Networks
• Evaluation & Decision-Making — Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Decision Matrices, Scenario Analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis
• Collaborative Thinking & Dialogue — Delphi Method, Brainwriting, Dialectical Reasoning, Facilitation

The Science and Philosophy of Thinking

How do humans think, acquire knowledge, and make decisions?

Explore theories and research on human thinking, from ancient Greek philosophy to modern cognitive science. Topics include epistemology, logic, philosophy of science, pragmatism, creativity research, cognitive psychology, bounded rationality, cognitive biases and The Ugly Duckling Theorem.

Free Thinking Tools

Put what you learn into practice. ThinkNavi Free provides tools for organizing ideas, analyzing problems, and supporting decisions, including concept maps, decision matrices, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).

For more advanced information analysis and concept exploration, explore the ConceptMiner product family.