The concept of functional thinking has developed over time, and its origins can be traced back to several different disciplines and areas of inquiry.
One of the earliest influences on functional thinking was the field of engineering, particularly the development of the field of design engineering in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Engineers in this period began to focus on the function and purpose of their designs, rather than just the form or appearance of the object they were designing. This led to the development of new design methods, such as functional analysis and value engineering, which focused on understanding the requirements and goals of a particular design problem, and developing solutions that met those requirements in the most efficient and effective way possible. Another important influence on functional thinking was the field of management, particularly the development of the field of operations management in the mid-20th century. Operations management focused on understanding the processes and systems involved in manufacturing and production, and developing methods for improving efficiency and productivity. This led to the development of tools and techniques such as process analysis, process mapping, and Six Sigma, which are all rooted in the idea of understanding the function and purpose of a particular process or system, and optimizing it to achieve the best possible outcomes. Finally, the concept of functional thinking has also been influenced by developments in cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Research in these fields has shown that humans are naturally inclined to think in terms of function and purpose, and that this type of thinking is deeply embedded in our cognitive processes. This has led to the development of new theories and models of functional thinking, which seek to explain how our brains process and analyze information, and how we can use this understanding to improve our problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Overall, the concept of functional thinking has developed over time through the convergence of several different disciplines and areas of inquiry, and continues to evolve and expand as new research and innovations emerge.
DOT FROM preview-next-diagram