The huge difference between analysis and design does not seem to be fully appreciated in education at any level.
It is assumed that if you understand something the action part is easy. At one level this is true. If you can recognise a standard situation then you can apply the standard, known, answer. Almost all education is like this. So is most of our active lives. This is why in my latest book (Why so Stupid) I suggest that the human race has not yet really learnt to think.
Design is very different from just recognising standard situations and providing standard answers. Design means putting things together to deliver the required values. Be sure that some of the ingredients to be put together are standard ingredients. A chef can cook a classic dish in the classic way. A creative chef can design new dishes but still make use of standard ingredients and cooking methods.
Edward de Bono nmt
2nd November 2003
