9 Windows Thinking

How to predict the future? How to predict the next product or next process using 9 Windows? How to use 9 Windows?

9 Windows is an excellent tool for new ideas generation. It makes us think inventively, taking into consideration space and time. 9 Windows helps to predict the future based on analysis of past to present development occurring within a certain system. However, the future is exactly what we need; any new idea should be about a future; otherwise, this is not a new idea; this is not what we need.

How it works

9 Windows is a 3 by 3 matrix showing a system evolution in space (vertical direction) and in time (horizontal direction)

Step 1

Define and write your project title.

Step 2

Define and write the problem statement – describe what you are going to promote, improve, and predict.

Step 3

Place the subject of your analysis in the central field (1) as a Present System.

Step 4

Think and write the list of components of your System in the field bottom central field (2) as Present Subsystem.

Step 5

Think and describe the Super System where your System is included as a component. Write the Super System description in the top central field (3) as a Present Super System.

Step 6

Describe how your System looked in the past and write the description in the left center field (4) as a Past System.

Step 7

Think about components of the System that was in the past. List and write the components in the top left field (5) as Past Super System.

Step 8

Now you can touch the future. Using Subsystem Past (field 5) and Present (field 5) logic, try to predict the components of the future System. Write it down to the bottom right field (7) as Future Subsystem.

Step 9

Go to Super System and, using Past (field 6) and Present (field 3) logic try to define a Future Super System. Write the description down to the top left field (8) as a Future Super System.

Step 10

Go to future System. Use both logic of the Past (field 4) – Present (field 1) System and the logic of the Future Super System (field 8) – Future Subsystem (field 7) to think and succeed in describing Future System. Write the description down to the right central field (9) as a Future System.

Step 11

Now your 9 Windows are ready, and you are also ready to create new ideas. Watch and enjoy your 9 Windows and create excellent new ideas. Document it in the special field to be added to your file.

Example – Digital image. What is the direction for the future?

Space / Time	Past	Present	Future
Super System	Photo album	Digital Image album, PowerPoint presentations, etc…	Digital album on virtual storage
System	Photo Image	Digital Image	The virtual image on virtual storage (biosystem)
Sub System	Physical Particles on physical photo paper Physical particles on a physical storage	Pixel (virtual point) on physical data storage Virtual particles on a physical storage	Pixel on virtual storage Virtual particles on virtual storage

What does it mean: Virtual image on virtual storage? It is very simple. It means to remember an image and even be able to share this image.

Visit PRIZ Guru site, LOGIN, find 9 Windows in the list of Creative tools, and start to predict the future.

Good luck.