Thinking Space

Graham Wallas, a co-founder of London School of Economics, in his 1926 book, The Art of Thought described a model of how insight work. In his four stage model (Preparation, Incubation, Illumination & Verification), Graham suggests that we can purposefully build a process to reach to an insight when we are stuck with a problem.

Here is how Graham’s four stage model works

In preparation stage we can explore the problem from different angles and apply analysis and rigour to it.

In incubation stage we stop consciously thinking about the problem and let our sub-conscious work on it.

In illumination phase insights come with a burst and suddenness.

Finally, in verification stage we test whether the insight or solution to our problem is valid.

I admit that not all insights would need all four stages always. Sometimes we reach to an insight in a flash with no specific preparation and incubation. However in my view this could be because your experience in the problem area or in an adjacent area.

I found the model quite useful though.