How To Use The Disney Method

How To Use The Disney Method

Paul Sloane 13/12/2021
How To Use The Disney Method

The Disney Method, developed by Robert Dilts in 1994, is a complex creativity strategy in which a group uses four specific thinking styles in turn.

It involves parallel thinking to analyse a problem, generate ideas, evaluate ideas, construct and critique a plan of action.

The Walt Disney Method distinguishes 3 roles:

Disney_Method.jpg

  • The dreamer is enthusiastic and approaches the task with questions such as “What would be nice?”, “What would be the optimal situation?” or “What would I wish for?” The dreamer assumes that everything is possible.

  • The realist takes a pragmatic approach and asks himself which materials, which knowledge, which techniques there are with which the thoughts of the dreamer can be realised. Sometimes the realist is also called the doer.

  • The critic challenges the approaches of the dreamer and the realist by identifying opportunities and risks, pointing out limits and gaps, and expressing constructive and always positive criticism. The critic’s behaviour helps to identify possible sources of error.

Initially the group thinks as outsiders and reviews the facts, data and external viewpoints regarding the issue at hand.

They might take the roles of consultants, customers, suppliers or competitors in order to get a more rounded view of the issue.

The group then leaves the room and re-enters but this time as dreamers. They strive to imagine an ideal solution without any constraints. They brainstorm all sorts of ideas to resolve the problem using divergent thinking. No criticism or judgement is allowed. Many ideas are generated and written down.

The group leaves the room and then returns as realisers – realists with a practical, constructive mindset. They review the ideas that the dreamers generated and apply criteria to converge on the best ideas. Once they have selected the best idea they work it up into a project plan with costs, timescales, risks and benefits.

The group now turns to the fourth thinking style and everyone becomes a critic who reviews the plan in order to identify problems, obstacles and risks. They are not negative or cynical but critical and constructive. Their objective is to spot the issues with the plan and to make it better.

At this stage the process might be complete or you might want to go back to one of the other styles in order to get an outsider’s view of the plan, to dream of new or enhanced plans or to work as receivers on the details of the plan.

Some people find this method easier to use than the Six Hats. It will generally deliver good ideas and a well-considered project plan.

The difference is, that in the Disney method the sequence is constant, whereas the Six Thinking Hats can be used in any appropriate order.

There is additional information that Walt went further, moving from one room to another as he shifted thinking. Using spaces specifically for each stage.

Dreamer_Realist_Spoiler.jpeg

Imagine how powerful it would be if:

  • Conference Room 1 in your office could only be used for dreaming, for coming up with the broadest ideas possible, no filtering, no realist or spoiler.

  • Conference Room 2 was only for the Realist, only finding ways to convert dreams to reality.

  • Conference Room 3 for the spoiler and critic to help find any additional weak spots to be fixed before an idea goes live.

So many more ideas would get the chance to be refined and further examined for merit.

Share this article

Leave your comments

Post comment as a guest

0
terms and condition.
  • No comments found

Share this article

Paul Sloane

Innovation Expert

Paul is a professional keynote conference speaker and expert facilitator on innovation and lateral thinking. He helps companies improve idea generation and creative leadership. His workshops transform innovation leadership skills and generate great ideas for business issues. His recent clients include Airbus, Microsoft, Unilever, Nike, Novartis and Swarovski. He has published 30 books on lateral thinking puzzles, innovation, leadership and problem solving (with over 2 million copies sold). He also acts as link presenter at conferences and facilitator at high level meetings such as a corporate advisory board. He has acted as host or MC at Awards Dinners. Previously, he was CEO of Monactive, VP International of MathSoft and UK MD of Ashton-Tate. He recently launched a series of podcast interviews entitled Insights from Successful People.

   
Save
Cookies user prefences
We use cookies to ensure you to get the best experience on our website. If you decline the use of cookies, this website may not function as expected.
Accept all
Decline all
Read more
Analytics
Tools used to analyze the data to measure the effectiveness of a website and to understand how it works.
Google Analytics
Accept
Decline