The Productive Discomfort — Tension Architecture trigger illustration
L4
TENSION ARCHITECTURE

THE PRODUCTIVE DISCOMFORT

MECHANISM

Make them slightly uncomfortable in a way that leads to your solution.

? THE QUESTION

"What helpful discomfort can we create?"

▶ PROCESS

Work through these questions to generate ideas:

  1. What should they be worrying about that they're not?
  2. What comfort zone should they question?
  3. What complacency costs them?
  4. What safe choice is actually risky?

★ EXAMPLES

Ideas in this space might look like:

  • Life insurance showing your children at your funeral—with no coverage
  • Cybersecurity showing the breach that happens during your confidence
  • Dental ad showing the small cavity you're currently ignoring
  • 'Your mattress has 10 million dust mites. Sleep tight.'

⚡ HOW IT WORKS

Your Product
YOUR PRODUCT
+
THE QUESTION
"What helpful discomfort can we create?"
=
Breakthrough Idea
BREAKTHROUGH IDEA

REAL WORLD EXAMPLES

13

"What helpful discomfort can we create?"