Prizmatem: A Simple Guide to Prism-Thinking for Better Ideas
Life and work are full of problems that have no single clear answer. A designer might have to balance user needs with costs. A teacher might need to keep students engaged but also meet goals. A data scientist might choose between accuracy and fairness.
This is where Prizmatem helps. Like a prism splits light into many colors, Prizmatem splits a problem into many different views. By looking through these different “lenses,” you can find more ideas, avoid blind spots, and make stronger decisions.
What Is Prizmatem?
Prizmatem is a step-by-step method to solve problems by looking at them from many sides.
Main benefits:
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Helps you get fresh ideas.
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Reduces bias by checking different views.
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Makes decisions more balanced.
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Brings teams to agreement faster.
Core Principles
Prizmatem is built on a few simple rules.
| Principle | What it Means | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Look from many sides | Always check problems with different lenses. | Avoids narrow thinking. |
| Break it down | Split big issues into small parts. | Easier to handle. |
| Use proof, not just opinion | Support choices with data. | Builds trust. |
| Combine ideas | Merge insights into one clear plan. | Stops endless debate. |
| Test and improve | Try small, measure, and adjust. | Keeps solutions useful. |
The Steps of Prizmatem
You can follow Prizmatem in six simple steps:
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Frame the problem – Write down the goal, limits, and people involved.
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Pick lenses – Choose 4–7 perspectives to check the problem.
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Brainstorm options – List ideas from each lens.
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Evaluate – Score or rank each option with facts.
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Combine – Merge the best insights into a clear choice.
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Test and track – Run a pilot, measure results, and adjust.
Read also: Newtopy
Example Lenses You Can Use
Lenses are like filters you use to see the same issue differently.
| Lens | Sample Questions |
|---|---|
| User/People | Is this simple and easy to use? |
| Data | Do we have enough data? Any bias? |
| Operations | Can this scale? Do we have resources? |
| Risk | Are there legal or safety issues? |
| Money | Does it bring value or profit? |
| Sustainability | How does it affect the planet or community? |
👉 Tip: Use only the lenses that fit your project best. Too many will slow you down.
Use Cases of Prizmatem
1. Design and Product
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Lenses: user, cost, tech, risk.
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Example: improving a sign-up form. Options might include one-page sign-up, step-by-step sign-up, or using Google login.
2. Education
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Lenses: engagement, access, testing, retention.
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Example: planning a lesson so all students can follow and enjoy it.
3. Data and AI
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Lenses: accuracy, fairness, cost, explainability.
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Example: choosing the right metric for a machine learning model.
4. Business and Strategy
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Lenses: market, legal, partners, operations.
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Example: deciding how to launch a new product safely.
Real-Life Examples
| Situation | Before Prizmatem | After Prizmatem |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up Flow | Too many steps, confusing. | Simple one-page form tested with user and risk lenses. |
| AI Metrics | Only accuracy checked. | Accuracy + fairness + cost considered together. |
| Class Project | Judged only by outcome. | Judged by creativity, teamwork, and sustainability. |
Helpful Tools
Prizmatem works better with simple tools:
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Decision Grid (Excel/Sheets): Score ideas across lenses.
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Brainstorm Board (Miro/FigJam): Map lenses visually.
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Workshop Plan (60 mins): Roles → lenses → brainstorm → pick → close.
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Checklist: Small test plan, KPIs, risk checks.
Comparison with Other Methods
| Method | Focus | What Prizmatem Adds |
|---|---|---|
| Design Thinking | Empathy + creativity. | Adds structured scoring across lenses. |
| SWOT/PESTLE | External & internal factors. | Goes further: combines insights into one plan. |
| RICE/ICE | Prioritizing ideas. | Shapes ideas before ranking them. |
Pitfalls to Avoid
Common mistakes:
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Too many lenses → causes delays.
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Weak evidence → makes results unreliable.
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No merge step → team ends up with too many loose ideas.
How to fix:
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Limit lenses to 5–7.
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Collect some data for each lens.
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Always set time to combine and decide.
How to Use It With a Team
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Roles:
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Facilitator → keeps the group on track.
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Scribe → writes notes.
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Decider → makes final call.
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Steps:
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Kickoff with clear problem.
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Brainstorm with lenses.
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Choose the best path.
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Run a small pilot.
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Review and improve.
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Track success with:
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Time to make a decision.
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How aligned people feel (survey).
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Problems found after launch.
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FAQ
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Is Prizmatem a tool or a method?
It’s a method, but you can use tools to apply it.
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How many lenses are best?
4–7.
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Can I use it alone?
Yes, it works for individuals too.
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Can it fit with Agile or Scrum?
Yes, use it during planning sessions.
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Do I need lots of data?
Just enough to make trade-offs clear.
Final Thoughts
Prizmatem makes complexity easier to handle. Instead of forcing one “right” answer, it shows you the whole picture through different lenses. Then it helps you bring those views together into one strong decision.
Whether you are building a product, teaching a class, analyzing data, or leading a team, Prizmatem can help you see more, decide better, and act with confidence.
