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description: Use when a team is stuck and needs to approach a problem from the opposite direction
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# Reverse Brainstorming

Instead of solving the problem directly, ask "How could we make this problem worse?" then invert those ideas to find real solutions.

## Steps

1. **State the problem clearly** — Write the problem you want to solve in a single sentence.
2. **Reverse the problem** — Rephrase it as: "How could we cause this problem?" or "How could we make this worse?"
3. **Brainstorm reverse ideas** — Generate as many ways as possible to make the problem worse. Go wild; no filtering.
4. **Invert each idea** — Flip every "make it worse" idea into its opposite — a potential solution.
5. **Evaluate and select** — Review the inverted ideas, combine related ones, and select the most actionable solutions.

## Output Format

A three-column table: Reverse Idea (how to make it worse), Inverted Solution (the opposite), and Feasibility/Impact assessment. End with a prioritized shortlist of top solutions.
