CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING RESOURCES 

The Creative Problem Solving Model

There are many creative processes that have been developed over the years. Most follow some sort of problem-finding, problem-solving and solution-implementation. They are based on our natural problem solving tendencies and were designed by people who have researched and unpacked creative cognition.

Alex Osborn, the inventor of brainstorming wanted to make the process more deliberate. Dr Sidney Parnes developed methods to teach Creative Problem Solving (CPS.) CPS has been around since 1954.

Though CPS looks obvious and natural, we may inadvertently get stuck on a step or skip over a step if we don’t deliberately and thoroughly follow the process. By understanding and using a creative process along with tools to support it, we can greatly improve our ability to solve problems and be creative as individuals and as teams.

Preparing for Creative Problem Solving

Thinking Guidelines

Before beginning creative problem solving, it is important to note two kinds of thinking that you will be doing in each step of the process.

Divergent thinking is a method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. It should be free-flowing, non-linear and not involve any judgement or critical thinking. Anything goes! Divergent thinking is also known as lateral thinking. We typically spend too little time on divergent thinking.

Clarify

Clarifying is about formulating your challenge and becoming crystal clear on the goal. It is incredible how many people/ teams skip over this step! Often, we think we know what our goal is, but we have missed something.

Step 1: Generate lots of goal/ wish/ challenge statements

In this step, start with DIVERGENT thinking and generate as many goals or wish statements as you can. Challenge yourself to write down 30 different iterations of your problem. Make your challenge into a question that inspires answers. The statement should have an invitational language stem.
• “I wish…”
• “How might I/ we…”
• “In what ways might I/ we… “
• “Wouldn’t it be great if…”

Keep these pointers in mind:
• Make it bold for inspiration.
• There must be verb.
• Avoid using what might be a single idea.

Beware of your language
“We don’t have enough money.”
“It’s too expensive.”
These statements block your thinking.

How to raise the money? How might we reduce the cost?
These statements open your mind to the possibility of solving the problem. They provoke you to think about ideas.

Step 2: Choose the goal/ wish/challenge using the tool,

Now use CONVERGENT thinking and select the best one from the statements you have generated. To start, answer each of the questions below for every goal. Put a tick next to the goal if the answer is yes.
1. Is it Important?
2. Do you have Influence?
3. Do you need new Ideas?
Select ONE statement that has three ticks. This statement should reveal a new insight into the situation, provide a promising direction to go, “nail” what the real problem is and should feel good in your gut.

Ideate

The first few ideas that pop into your mind are usually not very creative. As I mentioned earlier, our brains are designed to conserve energy, so unless we really push them to reach out into deep recesses and make connections and associations with interesting thoughts and knowledge that we stored away long ago, they are just going to go for whatever is closest. If I say draw something sour and yellow, you will most likely draw a lemon. That’s easy and close-by in your brain. If you take some time and push your mind to divergent thinking, you will come up with many more creative ideas.

 
Your idea may be good, but there is almost always a better option. We have been lulled into a consumer culture that values comfort over hard work and short-cuts over tough discipline. We simply can’t be bothered to put the energy into creative thinking. A good idea is fine, but a brilliant idea is what will set your business apart.

Use S.C.A.M.P.E.R to stretch your mind and explore new possibilities. These seven different thinking approaches are designed to help you break out of your regular thinking flow to find innovative ideas and solutions. They can be used when you are problem solving alone or in a group.

This method was proposed by Alex Osborn, the creator of brainstorming, and further developed by creativity specialist, Bob Eberle.

Develop

The Develop step is where you select the best ideas from the Ideate step and narrow them down to the one idea that you are going to implement. There are a variety of tools that you can apply at this stage.

Use this statement stem to guide you:
What I see myself doing is…

Pluses, Potentials and Concerns

Pluses, Potentials and Concerns is a powerful exercise to first notice the positives of a potential solution. Followed by what new outcomes might be realized. The airing of all concerns include suggestions to eliminate or manage each concern.

PLUSES “What do you like about this idea?”
Make a list of 3-6 pluses or strengths of the idea. Think about what is good or unique about your idea.

POTENTIALS “ What might result if the idea were implemented?”
Make a list of 3-6 opportunities that would arise if this idea was implemented. Start the statements with “It might...”

Consider spin-offs, speculations, collaborations, and future gains from the idea. What could this idea ultimately lead to?

CONCERNS what concerns, down sides, limitations, or minuses do you have about this idea?
Make a list of 3-6 concerns you have about your ideas. No idea is perfect. Think about potential challenges or downsides of the ideas. However, instead of listing them as problems, write them as questions starting with “How might...,” or “How to...,” or “In what ways might...” This way of phrasing invites solutions and helps the brain think of possibility and new ideas.

OVERCOMING CONCERNS : “What are all the ideas you can possibly imagine for overcoming the concern of, How to…”
Referencing the list of Concerns, write ideas for how to overcome each concern.

Implement

Now its time to plan for action to implement the idea that you have developed. Generate at least 16 action steps that will detail everything that needs to happen in order to bring your solution to life  The precursor to developing an Action Plan is to do a brain dump of all the steps required to move your challenge to action. Note that these are possible actions NOT ideas.

Step 1: Write down as many action items as you can think of on Post-It Notes. One action item per note. Make sure the items are phrased as an action statement. Use a VERB. If you get stuck, here are some ideas from the SourceBook for Creative Problem Solving by Parnes.

• What additional resources might help you implement your solution?
• How might you gain enthusiasm for your solution? Where might you start?
• When might be a good time to begin? How might you pretest your solution?

Step 2: Sort the ideas into short-term, mid-term and long-term action items. If working in a team, share the idea verbally at this point. If there are repeats, pile the note on top of each other. This is a good indication that it’s an important step.

Step 3: Transfer your ideas into an action plan grid like the one below and decide who will be responsible for each item, when it should be done by and who will help with accountability.

Well done! You have completed the Creative Problem Solving Process.

This process can be done on your own or in a group. It can take 15 minutes, or you can spend days on it. The more you use this process, the better you will become at the creative process and the more flexible and stronger your mind will become at using the creative tools presented here.