Torrance Journal for Applied Creativity

The KJ-Ho and The W-shaped Problem Solving
Methodology and Its Application to Real World
Problems
by Susumu Kunifuji
In Japan, by far the most popular creative problem-solving methodology
using creative thinking is the Kawakita Jiro (KJ)-Ho method. This method puts
unstructured information on a subject of interest into order by alternating divergent
and convergent thinking steps. The W-shaped Problem Solving Methodology is an
extended concept of the KJ-Ho to solve real world problems. In this article, I will
explain the basic procedures associated with the KJ-Ho and the W-shaped Problem
Solving methodology and its application to many real world problems.
1 Outline
The very original nature of the
KJ-Ho is a bottom-up creative problem
solving methodology for practical
use (almost all other creative problem
solving methodologies are top-down).
The KJ-Ho was created on the basis
of cultural anthropology and the
W-shaped problem solving methodology,
as depicted in Figure 1, providing a
unique integration of social and natural
sciences.
2. Basic Steps
Now we can explain basic
procedures associated with the KJ-Ho.
These are label making; label grouping;
group label naming (nesting, grouping,
and naming); spatial arrangement; relationships;
and verbal or written explanation
(see Figure 2).
Fig. 1. The W-shaped Problem Solving methodology (Kawakita, 1991)
There are a number of creative thinking methods in existence, for example,
brainstorming, brain-writing, mind-mapping, the KJ-Ho method (Kawakita,
1966), the NM method, and the Equivalent Transformation method. Human
thinking processes for creative problem solving typically consist of four sub-processes:
divergent thinking, convergent thinking, idea crystallization, and idea-verification.
In Japan, the most popular creative thinking method by far is the KJ-Ho
(Kunifuji, Kato, & Wierzbicki, 2007).
Jiro Kawakita (1991) explained that human creative problem solving processes
often consist of the following steps (see Figure 1).
In a scientific inquiry, one encounters a problem at point A on the thought
level. As the first step in solving this problem, he proceeds to explore the situation surrounding
the problem between A and B, and next collects all relevant and accurate data
through observation between B and C. By this data, he next formulates or develops a
number of hypotheses between C and D. Having returned to the next level, at point D,
he evaluates hypotheses and decides one hypothesis which to adopt. Between D and E,
he infers and revises the adopted hypothesis through deductive reasoning. Next, he plans
an experiment for testing the adopted hypothesis between E and F, and observes the experiment
between F and G. Given the results of the experiments, he can verify hypothesis
between points G and H, and can finally acquire a correct conclusion at point H.
Label Making
You initiate this process
through brainstorming, brain writing,
or idea marathon, as well as thinking
and fieldwork. You collect data, observe
situations related to the problem,
and write down everything that you
have discovered on labels. Only one
fact, thought, or concept related to the
problem of concern should be written
on each label. There is no limit to the
number of written labels.
Label Grouping
After writing up all facts, you
should stack the labels and spread them
around on a table or a floor. You must
carefully consider what the labels are
saying. Labels that appear to belong
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