Q 371. 9 Windows tool can help identify up to 8 methods to solve a problem. Elaborate the usage of this tool with an example.

 

 

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The Nine windows is a method used for identifying issues and their potential impacts by examining the past, present, and future of both high-level areas and its related subsections. In other words, Nine windows enables examine the innovation opportunity through nine different lenses across the dimensions of time and scale.

 

Lets take the below example :

Suppose you are crafting metal utensils that can be used on an airplane—but only for eating and not as a weapon. Instead of innovating the utensils themselves, one could focus their efforts on the raw materials that make up the utensils (subsystem), or even on the surrounding environment (super system).

 

Nine windows is a grid which comprises of nine boxes and windows. Filling in the boxes provides eight additional perspectives on the problem one have identified and helps one decide how and at what level to apply innovation. 

 

Nine window example :

Lets illustrate the use of nine windows by taking an example of planning for safety improvement:

 

Firstly, Write the problem and the current system for solutions in the center of a 3 x 3 matrix, as shown in the Figure below.

Secondly explore the potential problem/s at each of the following three levels:

1. Super system or also known as a Macro system: This includes external environment and components that the problem or system interacts or may interact with
2. System: The problem or system that was created
3. Subsystem or also called as Micro system: A component or parts of the problem or system

 

The past, present and the future are planning goals. Review each window on timescales best suited for achieving future solutions and most favorable outcomes to make sure that the system, super-system, and subsystem will develop to achieve the expected outcome.

 

The above example using multiple timelines, but companies and teams can choose the timeline they want, selecting a specific date or leaving the dates open in the past and future. Once the nine windows plan is created, the team can then plan and find solutions to improve or enhance safety performance.

For example, the team should consider how to foster a culture where safety is a priority in action and language so that employees know that it is a fundamental component of their work. One of the likelihood is to create systems and real-time procedures to catch safety problems before they occur on the plant floor or at the work place. Another idea could be to formulate training so that management incorporates safety in the evaluation of effectiveness and to establish the proper metrics for positive recognition for stopping unsafe production activities.

 

If safety problems persist, the team can start to implement future solutions within the subsystem, system, or at the super-system level to change or influence how the past, present, and future processes are utilized.

 

As such, it is imperative to leverage nine windows early in your project to better scope the innovation opportunity.

A 9 Windows tool or technique is defined as a method for exploring issues and their potential impacts by examining the past, present, and future of a System and its Sub and Super systems. It is portrayed in the form of a 3*3 matrix and act as an idea creation tool.

How does it work:
As we saw in the definition, this explores the issues in the system and its associated Super or sub systems. So what each one means:

 

a. System  - The problem or the system in consideration
b. Super System - The entity to which the system might be logically or physically

    connected to or can be correlated to
c. Sub System - The constituents(components) of the system or things that could be part of (or associated with) the problem

 

Purpose of the tool:

This is akin to what we do in real life. Often we would be doing a self-retrospection after someone gave , say, a very good seminar on a particular topic. We might think "how i wish had done that well last week.This week it was ok and am confident of doing good in the future"... Same way what if something could have been done differently for an issue to get it addressed in the past and in the present and how to address that in the future..  This is what this tool will help you in achieving that

 

Examples:

Let us some examples attached here
 

Example1:  Nine Windows Matrix:

 

Problem:   Over the years, increased Cricket Bat dimensions (size) has given an undue advantage to batsmen

 

Space/Time	Past	Present	Future
Super System	Group(s) that decided the Cricket rules -Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC)	Group(s) that influences the Cricket rules- Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the group that implements it - International Cricket Council(ICC)	Group(s) that influences the Cricket rules - Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and International Cricket Council (ICC) – ICC Chief Executives committee , ICC Cricket Committee and Associates (Nations) representative committee
System	Cricket Bat’s impact in           pre-80’s era . Batsmen by and large played with wood bats except for few	Cricket Bat’s impact in Current Era since 1980s. Lot of batsmen used heavy bats than the stipulated guidelines	Batsmen have to follow stringent guidelines as laid out by the Cricket rules
Sub System	Equipment –Wood usually (Willow wood, Kashmiri wood,…)  but there was no specific restrictions (on the type of equipment to be used) till 1979 Bat Length - <=38 inches   Bat Width <=4.25 inches	Equipment – Willow wood usually and it should be made only in wood   Bat Length - Can be bit higher than the usually designated length Bat Width - Can be bit higher than the usually designated length Bat Thickness - Can be bit higher than the usual thickness	Equipment – Should be made only in wood     Bat Length - <=38 inches   Bat Width <=4.25 inches   Bat Thickness <= 2.68 inches   Bat Edge <= 1.6 inch

 

Example2:  Nine Windows Matrix:

 

Problem: For office goers in big cities, precious time is lost due to Traffic snarls, on a daily basis

 

Nine Windows Matrix:

 

Space/Time	Past	Present	Future
Super System	Limited Transportation	Congested Transportation	Robust Transportation
System	Less Vehicle population resulted in less traffic snarls	Every day going to office takes time through own or company provided transport,  due to heavy Traffic	Seamless drive to office with minimal or no hassles.
Sub System	Less Vehicles     Public Transport     No special economic zones	More Private Vehicles     Rapid Urbanisation without adequate supporting infrastructure   Clustered Special economic zones	Encourage more public transport with good connectivity across places   Provide good and sound infrastructure.   Have Special Economic Zones in different parts of the city to de-congest traffic’   Encourage hi-fi  innovative designs like Flying Car (make the infrastructure available for that)

 

 

 

Benefits:

1.  Transparency of the problem

As we dissect the problem/issue across the systems and at various times using this exercise, we get a distinct representation of how a problem looks/looked like at any given point and what makes/made it to happen.

 

2. Inspection of the problem (RCA)

As we get to know the issue on hand at the past, present and future, we try to see as why it happened, happens and think of how that (issue) can be prevented in the future. By getting to know the RCA or why the issue happened in the past or still happening in the present, we try to explore as what should be done to prevent it in the future. This exercise provides a systematic approach to resolve an issue which can be quite complex in nature and which is adaptive in nature(that which can vary over time)

 

3.Addressing (Attacking) the problem

At each phase of time, we are putting the facts as what we had done, what we are doing and what will / should be we doing.. Based on the kind of solution that we are having at each phase of time(past, present,future), the solution for the subsequent phase gets shaped. The details of each phase might serve as a good input to the subsequent phase and can help (often it can act as a launching pad though not always necessarily) the solution providers to attack the problem with more vigour in the subsequent time phase

 

4. Continuous Improvement

The result of #3 often means that you are improving your systems (with the implementation of those solutions) which is continuous. Thus, doing this exercise will more often than not, be, resulting in a continuous improvement of sorts.

 

Conclusion:

This is a wonderful tool/technique for idea generation and is often used in TRIZ, which itself is a powerful technique for problem solving.  The technique uses a 3*3 matrix with the kind of systems involved in one axis and the time factor (past, present and future) in another axis and the objective is to see how an issue was/is/will be addressed. How these systems behave over a period of time is portrayed in this exercise, giving a good representation of that evolution

 

References: https://asq.org/quality-resources/nine-windows .

Nine Windows Matrix.doc

The NINE windows technique is a method for exploring issues and its impact by examining the past, present and future areas. This technique is often used to ensure that companies change and evolve without realizing the past tactics might not work in present or future. Process is always meant to change, and we should have change acceptance.

This technique is basically is Idea creation tool to ensure that companies, teams and individuals do not stop ideate, innovate or developing new ideas to improve the existing process, service, system and products. This technique helps us to segregate the problem in space and time standpoint.

This technique has following 8 routine which challenge the status quo :

1.     To have a model of the solution or the root cause.

2.     False assumptions (trusting the data).

3.     Specific terminology in a language that is a strong carrier of psychological inertia.

4.     Experience, expertise, and reliance upon previous results.

5.     Limited knowledge, hidden resources, or mechanisms.

6.     Inflexibility (model worship), trying to prove a specific theory, stubbornness.

7.     Reusing the same strategy.

8.     Rushing to a solution, incomplete thinking.

All of the above routines / causes can be improved by nine windows. This technique helps organizations and teams to explore a problem in past at both the super and sub system level.

 

How to use NINE windows.

Below is the sample image to use the Nine window technique.

 

 

Explore the problem at all 3 levels.

1.     System: The problem or system that was created

2.     Subsystem (or Micro system): A component or parts of the problem or system

3.     Super-system (or Macro system): External environment and components that the problem or system interacts or may interact with

 

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

 

 

 

 

What is 9 Windows tool?

 

9 Windows is an idea generation tool and it helps to generate new and innovative ideas. It helps us to look into the future of a system by looking at its past and present components and development occurred in it till date.

 

Why it is called 9 windows and how it looks?

 

Because it’s a 3x3 matrix which depicts the system evolution at 3 points of time i.e. Past, Present and Future and system is looked upon from 3 views i.e. Super system, Present System and Subsystem (Component of System).

Who Developed It or from where the concept originated?

 

Nine windows is one of the most famous tool used in the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) which was developed by Genrich Altshuller, a Soviet inventor and science-fiction writer, in the middle of the 20th century.

 

When to use 9 Windows tool :

When you need an innovative futuristic solution for your problem with thorough analysis of past and present system components and what best can be delivered in future in it.

 

How to use 9 Windows Tool?

To use nine windows, write the problem first and the current system for solution in the centre of a 3 x 3 matrix as shown below:

 

Then, explore the problem at each of below three system part levels:

1.      Super-system (or Macro system): External environment and components that the problem or system interacts or may interact with in the future.

2.      System: The problem or system that was created or exists as of now.

3.      Subsystem (or Micro system): A component or parts of the problem or system (Problem / System to be broken down further)

 

How it can generate the 8 methods / solutions?

 

By asking these Questions:

1. What could have been done in past at System / Supersytem / Subsyetm level to solve the problem or make system better?

2. What can be done now at present at Supersytem / Subsyetm level to solve the problem or make system better?

3.  What we should do in future to make the System / Subsystem / Supersytem better or to solve the problem?

 

 

SYSTEM / TIME

Where it can be used?

 

This concept can be used in all the sectors and let’s see below examples covering different sectors :

 

Transportation:

 

 

Education:

 

 

Retail:

 

 

IT Industry :

 

Summary : So if we see in all the above examples, this tool triggers and channelizes our thoughts towards the present, past and future system, Supersytem and subsystem components. It provokes our thinking beyond the current boundaries for the innovative and efficient breakthrough solutions. In turn, these solutions can improve the system drastically that is beneficial to all in long run and mankind as a whole i.e. Change for Good !

9 windows is one the idea generation tools. It helps exploring issues and impact of the issue by considering past , present and future. 9 windows technique helps organizations to change and evolve without relying on past ways of working which might now work in present world/ situation. It primarily helps to break the psychological inertia.

It ensure individuals and companies are constantly innovating or developing new ideas, methods and systems , products and services. It makes one think creatively taking into consideration Space and time.

How to use 9 windows:

1.       Write problem and current system for solutions in center of a 3 by 3 matrix

 

2.       Explore the problem in 3 different levels stated below-

• External environment and components that the problem or system interacts or may interact with- Super-system (or Macro system)
• The problem or system that was created- System
• A component or parts of the problem or system- Subsystem (or Micro system)

3.     To complete System row:

• a.     list what started the problem in the Past/System cell
• b.     list the goal—where the project will ideally end up after the solution—in the Future/System cell

4.     To complete the Super-system row:

• a.     list everything one would do to prevent the current problem (in the environment that the system functions) in the Past/Super-system cell.
• b.     list everything one can do to fix the problem going forward in Future/Super-system cell.

5.     Once the present system is explored, team moves to Past by listing everything once could do in the past and to prevent the problem in the past/ subsystem cell.

6.     Then, list everything once can do in the future (if the problem still exists).

7.     9 windows are explored by asking-

• Can company do anything in these 3 levels proactively/ in advance to avoid the problem or improve the system?
• Can company do anything in these 3 levels in future to avoid the problem or improve the system?
• Can company do anything in these 3 levels in present to avoid the problem or improve the system?

9 windows is often used in TRIZ (theory of Inventive Problem Solving) Problem solving analysis and forecasting tool.

9 windows technique example:

Scenario : We want to cultivate dragon fruit (Pitaya plant) in colder climate while it is generally grown in semi dry environment.

9 windows would look like below-

Nine windows is a tool to ensure that teams do not stop developing new ideas and methods for systems, services, and products.
It helps to separate a problem in space and time. 
Once the problem has been cornered, it helps in changing the parameters of the objects based on condition, time, or environment, or all three if needed.

Using the nine windows process & exploring a potential solution as a system with time-space dimensions can help to break the psychological inertia associated with repeating the same actions and expecting the same results.

The eight causes of psychological inertia are:

Having a fixed vision of the solution or the root cause.
False assumptions.
Any Terminology in a language that is a strongest carrier of psychological inertia.
Experience, expertise, and reliance upon previous results.
Limited knowledge, hidden resources.
Inflexibility, trying to prove a specific theory.
Reusing the same strategy.
Rushing to a solution, incomplete thinking.

The above points can be improved using nine windows. 
This tool prompts teams to explore a problem in the past and future at both the upper and sub-system levels.
Teams extend their thinking about the problem to view it in new and different contexts that are systemic and time-oriented, these groups can break the psychological inertia, and finding the solutions increases.

Example: Delivering eggs to Military

 

 9 Windows is a Tool used as Problem solving Framework. Its looks like a 3 x 3 Matrix with Problem statement in the Middle square. It analyses the problem with the context of Time (Past, Present and Future) and with Space (Sub system, System and Super System).  With the use of 9 windows, it helps by understanding the Problem in the context of Past, Present and Future, also exploring the Problem in Super System (Macro level), current System and Sub-System (Micro level)

 

Below given is the Sample 9 Windows Matrix with Problem Statement in the Middle and 8 methods to solve the Problem in context of Time & Space.

 

 

 

Sub-systems: are the component or parts of the System. Example: Equipment, Doctor, Nurse, Medicine etc.

 

System: The Problem or system that is created. Example: Doctors Office/ Clinic.

 

Super System: it is the external environment and components that the problem or system interacts. Example: Health care system

 

There are different ways to represent the past, present and future columns, one simple method involves asking the following questions:

 

Past: What is that I could have done to prevent this problem happening

 

Present: What is that I could do presently so that this problem wouldn’t be happening

 

Future: What could be done to prevent the happening

 

So, this is one of the Creative Tool of Problem solving and it will give you up to 8 ways to Analyze and address the Problem.

·         What is 9 Window tool ?

9 Window tool is an innovation and thinking tool that comes from TRIZ (Theory of inventive problem solving). It helps to think through and identify, the current challenges, defining things in the past and future, to look at learnings and identify new innovative ways to design long term sustainable solutions

 

·         This 3x3 matrix can be further categorized into 3 levels –

a)      Super system (or system impacted by macro environment) – categorizes the external environment that the issue or product at hand interacts with or may interact with

b)     System – The current problems or the system (issue at hand)

c)      Sub – system – A component or parts of the problem or system

Additionally the time period of Past > present> future can be defined based on the context of issue or system that is being resolved

·         How 9 windows drives solutions and idea creation?

One of the most common challenges in driving innovation is the difficulty in defining a problem which needs to the solved. This is usually due to the complexity of the issue at hand and the psychological inertia. 9 windows methodology allows to break the conventional thought process of resolving the issue at hand in-short term, however look at redesigning the approach to accommodate future changes

 

·         Examples of Nine windows application –

Problem statement – Organizations to plan for customer data protection in future product and service design.

 There is gradual shift in how consumers are reacting to organization using their personal/private data, without any preconditions. The lack of strong regulations makes corporations loosely comply with the law of the land, however in most cases the restrictions in how data is domiciled and who can controls this is very difficult to track and manage

 

	Past	Present	Future
Super – System	Governments or legal machinery was not focused on protecting consumer data and had provided corporations free access to how personal data is collected and used	Law of the lands definitions of data privacy of customers is not well defined and is ever evolving	Well defined laws, clearly articulating the do’s and dont’s of customer data protection, data retention and how data can be used
System	Consumable (product or services) were not designed to protect customer data privacy	Non-compliance with the loosely defined customer data protection laws, resulting in  litigations and government interference	Non-compliance  to local and international customer data protection law is unacceptable
Sub-System	Consumers are not aware or are not bother about how their personal data will be accessed, viewed and used by corporations	Consumers are partially aware, however they do not read through the fine print of how corporations view, access and use their personal data	Consumers are conscious on what data to share, how the data will be used, and what consumer can get in return for sharing their personal data

 

Using the above example, organizations in the future will have the keep consumer data privacy in the core of their product or services design. Governments and regulatory bodies are drafting strict legal frameworks and laws to ensure the customer data is protected and only used with his or her prior consent. The shift on organizations focus will also bring in more transparency to the fine print that the customers acknowledge or approve, and also ensure that the customer is well monetized for the data being shared

Many published answers have rightly identified 9 windows as a tool used in TRIZ and all answers are a must read as all have given interesting examples for the tool.

 

R Rajesh's answer has been selected as the winner for also mentioning the benefits of the technique.