Alphabet System Method | A Forced Ideation Technique Using the Alphabet
“My ideas always stop halfway…”
“I want to generate a large number of ideas…”
In such situations, the forced ideation technique called “Alphabet System Method” is highly effective.
The Alphabet System Method is a technique where you list products or services starting from each letter of the alphabet (or Japanese syllabary) and generate ideas from their problems and needs.
It is also known as an ideation method used by the famous razor company Gillette.
What is the Alphabet System Method?
The Alphabet System Method is a forced ideation technique that generates ideas by assigning a product or service to each letter of the alphabet or syllabary.
For example:
- A → Apple / Ice cream
- I → Drink
- U → Udon (noodles)
- E → Energy drink
- O → Sweets
By listing such words, you then analyze their problems, needs, and possible improvements.
The forced nature of the exercise helps generate ideas that would not normally come to mind.
How to Use the Alphabet System Method
- Define a theme
- Write products/services for each letter
- Identify problems and needs
- Generate improvement ideas
- Organize promising ideas
The key is:
“Fill in as many letters as possible.”
Even forced thinking encourages the brain to create new combinations.
Use Broad Themes for Better Results
Examples of effective themes:
- Food industry
- Beauty industry
- Education services
- Sports equipment
Broad themes make it easier to generate many words.
If the theme is too narrow, it becomes difficult to fill all letters.
Example: Ideation in the Food Industry
| Letter | Product/Service | Problem/Need | Idea |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Ice cream | Melts easily | Long-lasting ice cream |
| S | Soda | Loses carbonation quickly | Carbonation retention bottle |
| So | Soft serve ice cream | Hard to carry | Portable covered soft serve |
| Ha | Bread | Few flavor variations | Mont Blanc cream bread |
This method allows you to generate a large number of ideas efficiently.
Features of the Alphabet System Method
- Easy to generate many ideas
- Reduces omissions in thinking
- Beginner-friendly
- Forces creative thinking
- Suitable for brainstorming
- Useful for product planning
Benefits
- Eliminates idea shortages
- Expands thinking range
- Breaks fixed assumptions
- Helps generate new business ideas
- Improves ideation skills
- Useful for product improvement
Recommended For
- People who want many ideas
- Product planners
- Entrepreneurs
- Those improving creativity
- Brainstorming teams
- Meeting facilitators
Forced Thinking Creates New Ideas
In the Alphabet System Method:
“Continuing to think even forcibly”
is essential.
Constraints often help the brain generate new ideas more effectively.
Using the alphabet structure helps reach ideas that would otherwise be overlooked.
Free Template Available
A free PDF template is available to help you apply this method immediately.
Use it for product planning, new business development, and brainstorming sessions.
Alphabet System Template: Download