Table of Contents
Part One
The first part introduces some of the key concepts and issues associated with thinking and ideas.
Chapter 1 points to several problems associated with so-called “reasoned” thinking and questions whether or not the brain might be designed biologically to approach its problem-solving tasks in a somewhat different manner.
Chapter 2 looks at an effective alternative to “pure reason”: namely the holistic, non-linear, (evidence-based) perceptual thinking—or “perthinking”—of the eye’s mind.
Chapter 3 adds recursive thinking (thinking-about-our-own-thinking) to the list of invaluable holistic, non-linear thinking techniques. We also consider scientist Gregory Bateson’s surprising suggestion that a certain measure of uncertainty—regarding one’s knowledge base—can be good for our investigative thinking.
Chapter 4 describes a certain keenly attuned state of mind known as “situation awareness”, awareness as pattern recognition and how “idea structures” as meaningful patterns (of information) can be represented pictorially with the use of graphic organizers.
Chapter 5 describes a specific graphic organizer, the U-Template as “idea-sandwich”, (its components piled one on top of another and sandwiched between ten specific judgement criteria for assessing one or more facets of the idea).
Part Two
Chapters 6 through 8 take a closer look at the U-Template and provides a set of instructions and tips for getting the most out of its visual-thinking approach. They also provide links to a demonstration website where you can observe the system in action and try it yourself.
Part Three
The third part now surveys the unconscious cerebral mechanisms that support both individual and group planning.
Chapter 9 opens with a few generalized thoughts concerning today’s societal complexities and how we often fall back on intuition in our effort to struggle through them. Chess and chess masters are used as prime examples.
Chapter 10 takes an abrupt turn and examines personal (life-change) planning from the perspective of the mind’s diverse and wide-ranging unconscious processes.
Chapter 11 puts the emphasis on the mental mechanics we know as goal-setting and explains how this behavior, both conscious and not-at-all-conscious, applies to personal life-change planning.
Part Four
Part Four offers a miscellany of commentary and information.
Chapter 12 is principally a synopsis of the systems-specific principles underlying the U-Template’s non-linear, part-to-part/part-to-whole analysis.
Chapter 13 contains a few meditations on personal uncertainty, one of the project-related human factors monitored in the course of any U-Template project review.
Chapter 14 presents the U-Template’s business rationale and is strictly for business owners and project managers.
