A way to reconsider a problem by broadening or narrowing its focus
Discover a powerful framework for refocusing problem statements and unlocking creative problem-solving with Mural's abstraction laddering template. This template challenges personal preconceptions and builds a shared understanding, providing a clear direction for problem-solving.
The abstraction laddering template helps you:
Broaden or narrow the focus of a problem statement
Challenge assumptions and uncover new perspectives
Foster collaboration and shared understanding among team members
Drive innovative solutions by asking "how" and "why"
Provides a structured approach to problem-solving
How to use the abstraction laddering template
Step 1: Start by clearly defining the problem statement you want to address
Begin by identifying the specific challenge or issue that needs to be solved or addressed. Clearly articulate the problem statement to provide a clear focus for the abstraction laddering process.
Step 2: Begin by asking "how" and "why" to challenge assumptions and explore different levels of abstraction
Encourage participants to ask probing questions such as "How does this problem manifest?" and "Why is this problem occurring?" This helps challenge assumptions and uncover underlying factors contributing to the problem.
Step 3: Use the template to ladder up or down the levels of abstraction, broadening or narrowing the focus as needed
Start with the initial problem statement and consider broader or more abstract concepts related to the problem. Then, ladder down to more specific details and factors that contribute to the problem. This process helps explore different perspectives and uncover potential solutions.
Step 4: Continuously iterate and refine the problem statement based on insights gained through the abstraction laddering process
As you move through the abstraction laddering process, continuously refine and iterate the problem statement based on the insights and new perspectives gained. This ensures that the problem statement accurately reflects the underlying issues and provides a clear direction for problem-solving.
Step 5: Collaborate with team members to generate innovative solutions based on the refined problem statement
Engage in collaborative discussions and brainstorming sessions with team members to generate innovative solutions based on the refined problem statement. The shared understanding developed through the abstraction laddering process helps drive creativity and fosters a collaborative problem-solving environment.
Tips for running the abstraction laddering exercise:
Encourage open-mindedness and curiosity among participants
Foster a safe and inclusive environment for sharing ideas and perspectives
Emphasize the importance of active listening and building upon each other's ideas
Allow for flexibility and adaptability as the problem statement evolves throughout the exercise
Mural makes collaborative problem solving a snap
Sticky notes & text
Add ideas, action items, and more as a sticky note or text box — then change the colors and cluster to identify patterns and new solutions.
Anonymous voting
Gain consensus and reach alignment quickly, either in real time or asynchronously.
Easy sharing
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Timer
Keep collaboration moving forward with a timer to structure and time-box activities.
Real-time collaboration
Add more productivity and engagement to meetings and calls with features to guide collaboration.
Asynchronous collaboration
Innovate and collaborate effectively together without booking time on calendars.
Mural is the only platform that offers both a shared workspace and training on the LUMA System™, a practical way to collaborate that anyone can learn and apply.
