How to play Oblique Manoeuvres

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What you need:

A deck of "Oblique Manoeuvres" cards, whether physical or digital
An R&D project you're working on
(Optional) A timer or notebook for reflection

Basic solo play:

Identify the challenge:

Pinpoint the bottleneck or decision point, e.g., a feature, a user experience, a business model, or a scaling issue.
Draw a card:

Read one card at random. The phrases may be a bit abstract or cryptic—that's part of the process.
Interpret the advice:

Ask yourself, how could this idea apply to what I’m working on? How could I further contextualise it to my project?
Act on it:

Apply it to your current challenge, even if it feels indirect or strange. The goal is to spark a new perspective, not solve directly.
Repeat as needed:

If the first card doesn’t resonate, you can draw a second; but try to give each one a moment to work before discarding it.

Group play (Collaborative or workshop):

Choose a moderator:

Someone could facilitate the card drawing and discussion.
Set the scene:

Make sure everyone knows the goal of the activity—overcoming creative blocks, sparking discussion, or adding new directions. Agree on the allocated time and a number of rounds.
Draw 3 cards together:

One person draws and reads the cards aloud. The team debates the best fit and shares how they interpret the manoeuvre in relation to their challenge.
Decide on the action:

As a group, agree on how to apply the manoeuvre, or allow each person to respond in their own way.

Optional variations:

Daily Prompt: Draw one card with your morning coffee to shape the day’s work.
Multiple Manoeuvres: Combine two or three cards for more layered guidance.
Reverse Play: Apply a manoeuvre retroactively—how did it relate to what you just created?
Create your own prompts: Come up with your own oblique manoeuvres. Feel free to share them with us or your community!
Prototype the Absurd: Take the weirdest interpretation of a card and sketch a 5-minute prototype or system diagram.
Walk in my shoes: Reinterpret the manoeuvre from the point of view of a user, investor or your manager.