Kalari Technique

Kalari is an Indian martial art from Kerala, where every muscle and sinew is used combat. The technique is fast and furious.

Take a verb from the following list and ’check’ the item against certain aspects of the problem. The comprehensive list of verbs helps reduce the possibility that a solution might be overlooked. You sequentially move through the following list of verbs to suggest possible solutions to the problem.

multiply distort fluff up extrude

divide rotate bypass repel

eliminate flatten add protect

subdue squeeze subtract segregate

invert complement lighten integrate

separate submerge repeat symbolize

transpose freeze thicken abstract

unify soften stretch dissect

Example for Use

A common problem in project management is a plan’s failure to meet the desired schedule, either at the initiation of the project or during the course of implementing the project.

Approaches to rearrange resources to meet the schedule date for an information systems development project:

Multiply Increase the number of personnel

Increase the amount of the project budget

Increase the tools available

Eliminate Eliminate some of the functionality of the system

Subdue Simplify the design

Invert Design a prototype to test early on instead of at the end

Separate Separate the critical from noncritical activities

Unify Combine modules

Distort Worst-scenario formulation

Rotate Personnel

Squeeze Schedule

Resources

Requirements

Complement People skills with computer skills

Submerge Egos

Distractions

Less important problem

Freeze Specifications

Personnel (disallow transfers to other projects)