The NAF Technique

What is this technique about

NAF Technique is an idea selection method that aims to determine the Newest, Appealing and Feasible from a group of ideas. To apply this technique in the lessons, each idea is given a score in a certain number range within the scope of novelty, attractiveness, and feasibility criteria. Novelty is related to how original and new the idea is. Attractiveness assesses the extent to which the solution solves the problem. Feasibility, on the other hand, rates how relevant an idea is to reality and whether it will work in practice. These three areas are scored separately, and the ideas are ranked according to the total score. The purpose of this method is basically to score ideas and decide whether it is more appropriate to pursue or implement them. In addition, NAF allows you to see alternatives to increase the chances of success when developing or implementing an idea. NAF criteria may also be replaced or supplemented by other evaluation criteria.

Where does it come from 

NAF technique solutions are analyzed for novelty, attractiveness, and functionality. This technique was created with the aim of evaluating Ideas based on spontaneous emotions. For this reason, it depends on the instincts and judgments of the participants. This method serves to measure the usefulness of the creative thinking put forward.

For which purposes it is used (why in your engineering teaching)

To select ideas, rank and grades are given for each attribute on a scale of 1-10 based on opinion and evidence. To rank ideas, consider the following question: Innovation – How new is the idea? If this isn’t new to the situation, it probably isn’t very creative appeal – how attractive is this as a solution? Does it completely solve the problem? Or is it just a partial solution? Functionality – How possible is it to put this into practice? Using a time machine might be an attractive solution, but is it really viable?

After the voting process is complete, the following comments and questions will be considered and discussed: An idea is of no practical use because it is obsolete, unattractive, and impractical; however, the fact that an idea is new and attractive but has low applicability shows whether this idea can be strengthened by creative approaches and whether this idea can be a product output. Often, an idea that gets more than 5 pointsis worth developing.

The table above is an advanced application of the NAF technique in engineering education, a pairwise comparison chart (PCC). Such charts are used to evaluate the design concepts of new products against each other by ranking them against specific objectives. They help to understand the relative importance of items. An exemplary PCC can look like that:

In a PCC, 0 is added when an attribute in a column is tendered to an attribute in a row, and 1 is added when an attribute in a row is preferred to an attribute in a column. Then the sum of the items is calculated.

How to use it

Preparation:

• • Prepare voting templates and make the templates available to the participants.
  • Nominate a volunteer or take on the role yourself to facilitate the implementation process.
  • If the technique is to be used online, it is necessary to find a technological method of scoring ideas so that all participants can see it.

Application:

Create a table for novelty, attractiveness, and viability before the ideas arrive, and rate the ideas within these groups from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest). Allow participants to read their ideas aloud, as it is very important that all participants share their ideas. Collect the data from all participants. Analyze the data to see how much variance you have in each parameter, especially in applicability. Finally, have participants discuss emerging ideas.