Reversal / Inversion

Origin. Jacobi's dictum, 'invert, always invert'; formalized in de Bono's provocation family.

Mechanism. Replaces the goal with its negation, generates against the negation, then inverts the results. Constraints that are invisible while pursuing a goal become salient while pursuing its opposite.

Procedure. State the objective. State its exact inverse. Generate seriously against the inverse. Invert each item and keep what survives.

Applies to. Objectives whose Limitationss are better understood than their success conditions — reliability, safety, retention.

Limitations. Inverting a goal with no natural negation ('be more innovative') produces noise. Requires a goal with a determinate complement.