In work and life, we face different problems and challenges every day. Even though these tasks vary in difficulty, the prolonged accumulation can lead to significant mental wear and tear. Therefore, to avoid being overwhelmed by unnecessary matters and emotions, the most critical skill we need to master is “simplifying problems” rather than “complicating them,” which is a prominent characteristic of successful entrepreneurs. Thinking frameworks are handy tools that help us “simplify problems,” guiding us to evaluate situations clearly and make rational decisions.
Here, I introduce to everyone a truly excellent and unique problem-solving framework called the “Matrix Thinking.” Matrix Thinking originates from the TRIZ theory, which is also one of its most important concepts. The TRIZ theory was developed before the dissolution of the Soviet Union, which kept it highly confidential and strictly prohibited its dissemination to Western countries. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, experts skilled in TRIZ dispersed to Western countries, causing a substantial impact. Nowadays, Western European countries have institutions specializing in TRIZ research, and the market has seen the emergence of TRIZ software that costs millions of yen (about one million RMB) to license. Professional TRIZ consultants are earning a fortune.
To understand the true nature of Matrix Thinking, one can refer to the new book by the Japanese author Takagi Yoshinori, titled “Matrix Thinking.” Takagi Yoshinori, a graduate of the University of Tokyo, added several billion yen of pure profit to the large enterprise he worked for in his second year of employment by creatively solving a difficult industry problem. It can be said that he fully exemplifies the application of Matrix Thinking in work and everyday life.
So what exactly is Matrix Thinking, and why is it so powerful? The Matrix is a grid divided into 3×3 sections, with the horizontal axis representing the past facts, present conditions, and future trends. The vertical axis represents the system axis; if an individual or company is viewed as a system, then the supersystem would be the larger environment such as the industry or broader environment, while the subsystem would be the smaller environment like a company’s production factors, resources, or an individual’s skills and strengths.
In short, the Matrix is:
- A framework with the vertical axis as the system axis and the horizontal axis as the time axis;
- The axes are each divided into three equal parts, thus forming nine cells;
- This creates a framework for organizing information.
By using these two dimensions, time and space, we can understand the issues we aim to analyze in most cases and make correct decisions accordingly.
We already know that the Matrix is made up of three horizontal cells and three vertical cells. The horizontal axis is divided in chronological order, while the vertical axis is divided by scale or perspective. The advantage of this division is that it allows us to easily organize the impacts of environmental changes and make quick corresponding predictions.
The 9-box grid thinking model is a powerful tool that facilitates our thinking about problems from both macro and micro perspectives. This model, by defining the possible range of our actions, helps us identify what we can and cannot do. The horizontal axis of the 9-box grid represents a temporal division of past, present, and future, allowing us to organize and analyze facts along a timeline, and identify their interrelations, thus simplifying the process of conveying information and deep thinking.
Take business negotiation meetings as an example, by distinguishing the preparation phase, the meeting process, and post-meeting follow-ups, we can take targeted measures to improve the efficiency of resource utilization. This kind of expansion in the time dimension also applies to sharing travel experiences. If you join a tour group, you will find many itineraries include visits to attractions or museums that reflect local history. If we could further understand the future development plans of the locality, we would have a deeper understanding of the land. The same goes for career planning; knowing a company’s development history and future direction can help us think more broadly about our professional lives.
The vertical axis of the 9-box grid teaches us how to view problems from different spatial scales, often expressed through a why/what/how level analysis. Realizing the need to decompose and reassemble the subject of analysis, we can more easily grasp the core and scale of the issue. Once the axes of the analysis system are determined, we can analyze problems more systematically, differentiate controllable and uncontrollable factors, and continuously improve solutions.
When faced with difficulties, people tend to limit their own vision. However, the 9-box grid divides our environment into three parts: the supersystem where no influence can be exerted, the subsystem where influence can be exerted, and the individual’s scope of influence. By making good use of the 9-box grid, we can expand our view, find room for innovation, and pinpoint the key to solving problems.
In daily life, we often expand the space we occupy to find answers to problems. Killing mosquitoes might be difficult, but using a mosquito net can create a larger space free from mosquitoes. Similarly, spiders create a vast hunting ground by spinning webs. In the same way, the 9-box thinking model is also a practical and logical pattern of thought, helping us solve problems more efficiently.
The importance of considering elements within small spaces
When solving problems, we should not ignore the elements within small spaces, as these tiny yet crucial pieces of information are like a treasure trove providing us with clues to overcome challenges. For example, to deal with annoying mosquitoes, we might use mosquito repellent or incense. Careful analysis of such small spaces often helps us find the answers to problems.
How to use 9-box grid thinking
In the book “9-box Grid Thinking,” Hirotaka Takagi detailed how to effectively use the 9-box grid thinking from two perspectives — the horizontal and vertical axes. For instance, by taking “career planning” as an issue, we learn how to apply this thinking tool. As “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu says: “Know the enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles with no danger of defeat.” Therefore, we first need to understand as much as possible the company we are about to join or wish to establish relations with.
The book mentions that if someone intends to join Google, they need to stand in the shoes of an employee and deeply understand the company’s culture and direction, as well as the services that will be launched soon. They should also have a broader perspective to understand the company’s position in the industry. By collecting corporate information, we can use the horizontal three squares of the nine-grid method to categorize and organize.
For example, gathering information about Google’s historical background, main business, and future goals. This information can be found on Google’s official website, and then corresponding to fill in the squares marked history, present, and future. Through such an analysis, we can identify the company’s key products and judge its development trends, enabling job seekers to clearly express their ideas and views during interviews.
Take Google as an example, with its traditional products like Google Search, combined with innovative products like YouTube videos and autonomous driving experiments, we can anticipate that Google will leverage its experience in search engines and video services to provide users with richer and more life-like services. This may mean the emergence of new partners or competitors in the future. Understanding the advantages of Google Maps in smartphones can also infer its advanced capabilities in other services.
It’s clear that if candidates thoroughly analyze and articulate using the horizontal three-grid approach, they can stand out among many applicants. By predicting the development trend of the target company, job seekers can determine whether the company’s direction aligns with their own career path and development goals.
When planning a career from a timeline perspective, we draw a continuous thread of the past, present, and future. Taking Mr. A from the case study as an example, we can compare his personal experiences with the potential future direction of a company, thereby assessing how well the company’s position matches his individual career goals. We can achieve this, for example, by anticipating the new in-car navigation system launched by Google, Mr. A hopes to be involved in the service planning of this project in the future.
To delve into the details of a specific company or position, one can also use the vertical axis of the nine-grid method, starting from the “three systems” perspective, to examine the capabilities required for the target position, and to identify where one can offer strengths and where there are weaknesses. Once one can imagine oneself in the work scenario of the target company, then one can decisively consider joining. This mindset also applies to one’s current job, by predicting the future strategy of the company’s decision-making layer, which can greatly benefit career development. Cultivating foresight will let you discover that there are certain unifying patterns behind seemingly complex situations.
The nine-grid thinking method is an indispensable tool precisely because it provides a multi-dimensional perspective to examine and solve problems. It not only helps us to grasp the history and future trends of the subject of analysis but also observes subtle changes, helps us comprehensively organize information, and quickly come up with a concise core point. The true value of nine-grid thinking lies in allowing us to clearly examine our behavior and accurately predict the strategies we should adopt in the future.
In our daily lives, the environment is relatively stable most of the time. This has allowed many people to live comfortably without paying too much attention to the changes around them. However, in the face of rapid changes, if one wishes to have foresight into the future, it becomes particularly important to understand history, pay attention to the current state and watch the evolution of the environment. The same principle applies to the shifting commercial ecosystem, which is critical to sharing information with the team and colleagues in a timely manner, as well as grasping the real-time status of the environment one is in.
Only when we expand our perspective beyond the routine and into the broader environment, can we comfortably gain insights into our circumstances, and understand why we are undertaking our current work tasks. This not only reduces needless worries, but also inspires us to engage in more effective creative thinking.
