NAVRANG Cube: Creative Potential for Finding Solution

This class started with a new exercise on a 'NAVRANG' cube with 27 removable sub-cubes.

Navrang is a simple puzzle. In the process of solving the puzzle, there is a logic attached to it.

The challenge was to solve the cube - put it back into place with the given set of constraints –

Each face of the cube must have all the 9 colors. Which also means obviously that none of the colors can be repeated on any face - since there are only 9 slots in each.

In other words, No two same colours can appear on the same side of the 3 X 3 X 3 Cube.

Cube formation can be solved by applying the following logic namely:

i)  Rout Method and Blind Solution

ii) Mathematical Solution

The beauty of the solution lies in its simplicity and creative use of block formation technique.

For detailed description of these techniques please visit http://nnhyderabad.blogspot.in/.

This is blog written on NAVRANG Cube by Prof. Mandi.

The beauty of the solution lies in its simplicity and creative use of block formation technique. The below pic shows how simple logic can be applied for solving NAVRANG cube puzzle.

Simple Logical Solution to NAVRANG puzzle

Management Lessons from the Exercise:

NAVRANG cube exercise can be wonderful learning aid to impart certain concepts related to management. 

For any problem, no matter how simple it is, initially it seems very confusing and complex. But it is the human mind which by applying a systematic thinking process, solves every problem.

A lot of problems, both in life, and in organizations, are similar in nature, unexpected, and are to be solved with some time constraints. They all have smaller, individual elements to them that have to be solved for us to solve the complete puzzle. And with the application of the right principles of management, we can actually, pretty easily, solve them.

The key to solving any problem is organization. The first step is to segregate the similar elements of the problem together. Once you have done that, everything else falls into place, and it is simply a matter of applying simple logic at each level.

Also there needs to be effective communication. The better you are at communication (either way), the better you learn how to do things, and how not to do things. You can watch and learn from the experiences of your seniors, or the mistakes of your peers, and nothing can teach you better.

Final takeaway - Next time when you come across a problem, try to understand it, use your creative potential, and arrive at a solution.

Problems are neither difficult nor easy. But, for sure there are people who use their minds and the other who don’t use their minds.

We can find solutions to all the present and including the future problems - If only we apply our creative potential and mind.