Observation Skills Observation Skills MatterMatter

““You have seen but not You have seen but not observed”observed”

►Who said this quote?Who said this quote?►What do you think is the difference What do you think is the difference

between seeing and observing?between seeing and observing?►Much emphasis placed computer Much emphasis placed computer

research, etc., but not always research, etc., but not always practical, cannot do the observing for practical, cannot do the observing for us.us.

►Observing is instinctive.Observing is instinctive.

Process of observationProcess of observation

►Ask yourself the following questions as Ask yourself the following questions as you approach an observational problem:you approach an observational problem: What is the issue?What is the issue? What are you observing – document, What are you observing – document,

person, place, thingperson, place, thing If the subject is familiar, how can you look If the subject is familiar, how can you look

at it in a new way?at it in a new way? If the subject is new, can you find If the subject is new, can you find

something familiar in it?something familiar in it? Will broadening the search aid in the Will broadening the search aid in the

solution?solution?

What is the issue?What is the issue?

►Careful observation of something that Careful observation of something that doesn’t resolve the problem at hand is doesn’t resolve the problem at hand is a waste of time.a waste of time.

►Before you can start focusing, have a Before you can start focusing, have a clear view of what you are trying to clear view of what you are trying to accomplish.accomplish.

New Look at the familiarNew Look at the familiar

►Realize that everything in the world is Realize that everything in the world is unique in some way. Uniformity can unique in some way. Uniformity can dull our senses, but each individual dull our senses, but each individual product has unique characteristicsproduct has unique characteristics

►Looking for qualities that separate the Looking for qualities that separate the familiar from the unfamiliar is a skill familiar from the unfamiliar is a skill worth developing. When reading a worth developing. When reading a familiar scene, you can spot details familiar scene, you can spot details that will break the case.that will break the case.

Find Familiar in the NewFind Familiar in the New

►When confronted with something When confronted with something totally new, try associate it with totally new, try associate it with existing knowledge… can you think of existing knowledge… can you think of some examples?some examples?

Observing Documents, People, Observing Documents, People, Places, & ThingsPlaces, & Things

►General principles for observing the real General principles for observing the real world rest on creativity… “Make the familiar world rest on creativity… “Make the familiar strange and the strange familiar”strange and the strange familiar”

► Asking yourselves seemingly unusual Asking yourselves seemingly unusual questions will generate new insights.questions will generate new insights.

►Need to adapt by perceiving the world Need to adapt by perceiving the world through many eyes to survive intellectually.through many eyes to survive intellectually.

► You will broaden your search capabilities You will broaden your search capabilities and acquire a knack for seeing things where and acquire a knack for seeing things where / how they are not supposed to be. / how they are not supposed to be.

Observing PeopleObserving People

►Always do a mental inventory first – how Always do a mental inventory first – how does the person’s behavior appear?does the person’s behavior appear?

►Take note of dress, style, tattoos, etc… Take note of dress, style, tattoos, etc… can tell you a great deal about their can tell you a great deal about their attitudes concerning themselves and attitudes concerning themselves and others, but…others, but…

►Be careful not to steroetype, though Be careful not to steroetype, though don’t be afraid to characterize through don’t be afraid to characterize through observation – basis of profilingobservation – basis of profiling

Observing a PlaceObserving a Place

►Determine the underlying motivation Determine the underlying motivation behind what you seebehind what you see For example, if a person’s yard and home For example, if a person’s yard and home

appear chaotic, think about why that appear chaotic, think about why that could be.could be.

►Look for signs of what is going on (or Look for signs of what is going on (or what went on)what went on)

Observing ThingsObserving Things

►Try to understand the thinking behind Try to understand the thinking behind the creation of the object – this the creation of the object – this thinking takes into account other thinking takes into account other things the item may be used forthings the item may be used for For example, think about a pencil, what For example, think about a pencil, what

are its uses?are its uses?

►Most important thing to do is break out Most important thing to do is break out of preconceived notionsof preconceived notions

Observing DocumentsObserving Documents

► Just can’t scan for details, need to Just can’t scan for details, need to organize info to look for patterns. organize info to look for patterns. Organize by:Organize by: By Time – create chronologiesBy Time – create chronologies By Continuum – magnitude scaleBy Continuum – magnitude scale By Alphabet – basic organization provides By Alphabet – basic organization provides

cross reference for other typescross reference for other types By Topic – can help recognize common By Topic – can help recognize common

incidentsincidents By Location – look for spatial relationshipsBy Location – look for spatial relationships

SummarySummary

►Try to see a scene through varied Try to see a scene through varied perspectivesperspectives

►Develop as many correlations as Develop as many correlations as possiblepossible

►Have a goal when you are observing.Have a goal when you are observing.