Each way of thinking identified in the I DeSiGN model is motivated by a basic question, and has its own purpose, form of information and organizing principle. Reference to these defining characteristics for each way of thinking can help you understand, interpret and apply the model in whatever context you are considering. Intend (Intentional Thinking): Ask - Why? In order to direct - through statements - organized by priority. : When you form an intention ask first why you should pursue it; how and to what end it will be directed; what goal statements or declarations of intent are appropriate and which should have priority. Define (Referential Thinking): Ask - What? In order to describe - as items - ordered by alphabet, number or kind. When defining you should itemize and describe what is involved as separate items in some useful order. Explore (Relational Thinking): Ask - Which? In order to consider possibilities - through relationships - organized by strength. When exploring you should consider which relationships between the items you have defined are best for the purpose at hand and organize, compae and analyze them to find the strongest ones. Suggest (Formative Thinking): Ask - What Formulation for Whom? In order to propose and explain - through presentations - organized by circumstances and location. When making a suggestion you should remember that you are trying to propose or explain something to someone by presenting a particular situation in a way that they will understand. How you formulate the information in your presentation is critical to how it will be understood. innovate (Procedural Thinking): Ask - How and When? In order to produce improvement - through actions - organized by time. When innovating your focus should be on process - on what to do when - to produce improvement in a situation by taking purposeful actions in a sequence. Goalgetting (Evaluative Thinking): Ask - How Good or How Much? In order to evaluate success - against goal criteria - organized by magnitude. When trying to evaluate whether you reached your goals you should define the criteria by which success will be measured and determine how much the current values of the criteria differ from the values you seek. KNowing (Reflective Thinking): Ask - What happened and What was learned? In order to acquire knowledge - reflect experience - organized by usefulness. Finally, In order to know something (learn) you must consider all aspects of a purposeful experience in terms of prior experiences and remember what will be most useful in the future. Learn to consider these defining characteristics when applying each way of thinking.