Lewis (2019) describes think tanks, also known as think factories, idea factories, reflection pools, or policy institutes, as organizations where scholars representing different disciplines assemble to think without any restrictions, conduct research associated with specific issues, ideas, and policies (Aly, 2019; Whittenhauer, n.d.).

Think tanks conduct research, generate ideas, debate issues, and monitor public policy by means of implementing various strategies, which are associated with the business model utilized by the think tank, such as consulting, advocacy, research, and contract efforts (Lewis).

There are four types of think tanks as follows: (1) Ideological or advocacy tanks are organizations where problem solving is rooted on an ideological philosophy, (2) Specialist tanks are institutes with a specific focus or theme, such as the environment or foreign policy, (3) Subnational tanks are government-related entities that typically work on specific state policies, and (4) Practical tanks or “think-and-do” are institutes similar to non-governmental organizations (NGO) engaging in funding and/or charity projects (Lewis, 2019).

Think Tank Models

Think tanks operate under one of two models known as the “one roof” and “without walls.”

The one roof model literally gathers all members under one roof or one location where interaction takes place face-to-face.

The without walls model is the opposite of one roof and thanks to today's effective communications technology, engagement is possible through internet capabilities. This model is employed by organizations with smaller budgets where the bulk of its funding is spent in research, and overhead costs are not the think tank's responsibility (Whittenhauer, n.d.).

Think Tank Methods

Penttila (2007) as cited in Aly (2019), describes five think tank methods as follows: (1) “Combine ideas,” which consists of exchanging ideas and the methodologies used to combine or merge them, (2) “Think backward” or “backcasting,” which is a technique that requires to “see” the final product first, and working backwards from there, (3) “Do rapid prototyping,” which pushes ideas through the prototyping process in as little as one day, (4) “Create an internal incubation fund,” which sets aside funds as a means to motivate employees to collaborate and generate ideas not covered by other budgets, and (5) “Take it online,” which in essence means that everyone is able to make contributions at all times.

When viewed as a process, think tank methods are able to provide the necessary tools to encourage innovation. This is particularly true in the combine ideas and take it online methods (Adeghe, 2016). In the combine ideas method, ideas are exchanged and along with the means by which those ideas are subsequently merged, brainstorming-like sessions produce immediate results than can then be evaluated and implemented. The take it online method, where everyone contributes all the time, can be combined with the Delphi technique to increase its effectiveness and maintain an environment that fosters innovation among subject matter experts (Adegue).