Southbeach 2.1 Released

A screenshot of Southbeach Modeller 2.1.0.0

Southbeach 2.0 and Six Thinking Hats template

A sneek peek at Southbeach 2.0. The new UI allows for embedding of best practices in a Southbeach model. This comprises multiple creativity scripts (MyCreativity) and multiple refreshable reports (MyReports). This example is a Southbeach template for running a 'Six Thinking Hats' workshop. The situation can be modelled, and as we click around the model, the appropriate questions are generated. A simple report is included which summarises the positive and negative sentiments.

Southbeach 0.9.6 Alpha20

I have the privilege of being exposed to upcoming releases of Southbeach Modeller. In this screenshot (0.9.6 Alpha 20) you see evidence of the new Transforms toolbox, as well as live and editable Agent and Effect Views and Sorts. The image shows a large model, being developed to illustrate various Root Cause Analysis applications.

RCA (root cause analysis) of plane crash

In this screen shot of Southbeach Modeller, a root cause map, with 'evidence' hexagons, shows the sequence of events leading to a plane crash. The MyCreativity rules for the RCA tool "5x5Whys" is being used to generate questions in the lower panel. 

The rules used are available for download here and a more detailed image of the model here.

TRIZ 9boxes example for Sales Model

This model used the Southbeach 'grid' object to create a TRIZ 9boxes diagram. It shows past, present and future for the system, supersystem and subsystems. (It was developed based on an example in Darrell Mann's book "Systematic Innovation", page 64, Figure 4.2.)

It shows how relationships can be modelled across the grid between elements.

The line of output in the lower windows illustrates the use of a MyCreativity rule to generate questions directly from the model, in this case, the contradiction at 'market trends'. Clicking anywhere on the model generates different output depending on which rules fire. The rules can refer to the dimensions of the grid (past, present, system, super-system etc) so that different suggestions can be generated for different time and structure based relationships.

For those interested in how the output was generated, it used a rule that is part of a contradiction rule set as follows:

produces(&a=@present+@supersystem, &b=harmful+@future) counteracts(&b, &c=useful+@future) "Explain how current {&a} can create future {&b} so as to jepardise future {&c}"
(Click on the screen shot image for higher resolution)

The cat killed the mouse

In this example, a tabbed 'tutorial' model, explaining various approaches to model development, is illustrated. The selected tab focusses on the power of questions. In the upper part of the diagram, the statement "the cat killed the mouse" is shown. On the right, MyCreativity rules associated with this template are being used to generate questions, lower middle, which is guiding the development of the model as the user clicks on selected blocks. 

Planning to use Southbeach in a project

This model contains advice on how to embed Southbeach within a project. Each agent contains notes, guiding people through the process of building a modeling plan.

Degrees of innovation - Best Practices template

Southbeach 'grids', linked to MyCreativity rules, makes it a snap to create a 'best practice' template in any field. Here, we show a model developed by the Innovation Leadership Forum, together with questions it prompts based on latest research into primary and secondary drivers of innovation culture. The questions change as you navigate the model. Tabs can be added to capture strategies for your own company, opening up more questions as you do so.

Starbursting with Southbeach MyCreativity

Starbursting is a form of brainstorming that focuses on generating questions rather than answers. It can be used iteratively, with further layers of questioning about the answers to the initial set of questions. The following screen shots illustrate two ways to use Southbeach Modeller to help facilitate a starbursting workshop.

In the first - the starbursting method is shown visually. The facilitator enters the subject of the workshop in the center. Clicking around the model generates questions. These questions can be captured in the notes panel (right) or used to create MyCreativity rules that trigger and generate additional prompts as the user clicks around the model they are developing.

Using a template like this, it is also possible to have a tab that displays a grid, with each of the focus questions as a cell. As model elements are moved from cell to cell, the appropriate questions are fired, simulating a gradual elaboration of the model.

Root cause problem impacts template

Adapt to your own purposes. A generic model to illustrate a problem, it's root cause and upstream harmful impacts. Each green box is a potential solution - illustrating different ways to think about alleviating the problem, for example:

1. Preventing the problem
2. Removing the root cause
3. Limiting upstream impacts
4. Turning the problem into a solution etc.

The model acts as a template --Replace the names of the boxes with your own situation. Use 'MyCreativity' creativity rules to explore the problem and solution ideas in more depth (left of screen)

Two 'goals' (preferred solutions) are highlighted:
1. Intervention to remove the root cause or if not possible ...
2. Conversion of the problem to a solution (transformation) - providing benefits

The model helps create a focus in any activity where it is necessary to look at solution ideas around problems in a holistic way, to make sure that all options are considered.