CoCoR-R 1 Technique for Creativity, Brain Workout, Problem Solving

What is it?

CoCoR-R 1 is a (creativity) thinking technique that I developed in order to practice your analogical thinking abilities. You start any given Objects / Persons / Processes and then you pay deliberate attention to similarities, differences and relationships.

This technique is closely related with CoCoR-R 2 and Analogical Thinking or Reasoning.

Basically it's an acronym that stands for:

Co - Compare

Co - Contrast

R   - Relations & Relationships

R   - Review

Premises

The basic premise of this technique is based on the assumption that given a minimum of any two Objects, Processes, Project, Systems, Things, Problems, Solutions, Inventions, Innovations, etc we can observe any number of Relationships, Similarities and / or Differences.

Some of us tend to have a preference towards seeing primarily more Similarities and ignore Differences while others  have a preference towards seeing primarily more  Differences and ignore Similarities. 

Pre-Requisites?

Willingness to make a conscious effort to exercise your mind and do some Comparing and Contrasting.

What to Expect?

You may want to use it so that you became aware both of the similarities and differences.

You could expect that your decisions might be influenced as a result of noticing other details.

When to Use is?

Whenever you want to exercise you mind. When you are trying to solve a problem this technique might help you notice systemic distinctions and inter-dependencies between the elements of the problem. Once you are aware of them you can come up with new solutions.

Related Techniques:

- ALESI
- DUCII
- Wi-RAR-Ri

• How to Use this Technique?

Step 1:

- Compare and :
Ask - What is this Object / Person / Process similar to?
Complete - This Object in like/analogous to.....
Find a minimum of 3 to 5 Comparisons.


Step 2:
 - Contrast and :
Ask - What is this Object / Person / Process different from?
Complete - This Object in unlike/ incompatible to .....
Find a minimum of 3 to 5 Contrasting Points.


Step 3:

- Relate and:
Ask - What is my Object / Person / Process related to?
Complete - My Object has a relationship with .....
Find a minimum of 3 to 5 Relationships.

Step 4:

Review your answers and ask:
- What patterns are now you becoming aware of ?
- What could I extrapolate given the identified Similarities/ Differences / Relationships?
- What are 3-5 practical uses for the Similarities/ Differences / Relationships you have identified?
- What are the new solutions am I becoming aware  to some of the challenges I or others are facing?
- What opportunities do I see now?
- What systemic inter-dependencies do I notice?

Please note a few subtle differences :

• Relation tends to describe:
• A thing's effect on or relevance to another;
• A trait that is connecting two or more objects;

• Relationship tends to refer to: 
• the way in which two or more people or things are connected;
• the state of being connected; 
• the way in which two or more people or groups regard and behave towards each other.

The main difference between CoCoR-R 1 and CoCoR-R 2 is the starting point. In CoCoR-R 1 we start with 1 object while in CoCoR-R 2 we have a minimum of 2 objects.