Creative Problem Solving

2 Days

Introduction

In the past few decades, psychologists and business people alike have discovered that successful problem solvers tend to use the same type of process to identify and implement the solutions to their problems. This process works for any kind of problem, large or small.

The Creative Problem Solving workshop will give participants an overview of the entire creative problem solving process, as well as key problem solving tools that they can use every day. Skills such as brainstorming, information gathering, analysing data, and identifying resources will be covered throughout during the course delivery.

Programme Objectives:

• Understand problems and the creative problem solving process
• Identify types of information to gather and key questions to ask in problem solving
• Identify the importance of defining a problem correctly
• Identify and use of different problem definition tools
• Write concrete problem statements
• Use basic brainstorming tools to generate ideas for solutions
• Evaluate potential solutions against criteria, including cost/benefit analysis and group voting
• Perform a final analysis to select a solution
• Understand the roles that fact and intuition play in selecting a solution
• Understand the need to refine the shortlist and redefine it
• Understand how to identify the tasks and resources necessary to implement solutions
• Evaluate and adapt solutions to reality

Method and Approach

This programme will involve the use of slides, handout material, work manual with all instructor notes and slides, examples of best practice, appropriate videos and appropriate video material.

The use of flip-charts, syndicate workshops and reporting back sessions will encourage a fully participative and enjoyable event. Delegates will be encouraged to participate actively in relating previous work experiences.

Who Should Attend

This course will benefit anyone who deals with analysing existing or potential problems and finding creative solutions, such as, new product or service development, dealing with problems at clients or suppliers etc.

Course Content

This two-day course will cover the following subjects:

Module One: Getting Started

• Introduction to the course
• Workshop Objectives

Module Two: The Problem Solving Method

• What is a Problem?
• What is Creative Problem Solving?
• What are the Steps in the Creative Solving Process?

Module Three: Information Gathering

• Understanding Types of Information
• Identifying Key Questions
• Methods of Gathering Information

Module Four: Problem Definition

• Defining the Problem
• Determining Where the Problem Originated
• Defining the Present State and the Desired State
• Stating and Restating the Problem
• Analyzing the Problem
• Writing the Problem Statement

Module Five: Preparing for Brainstorming

• Identifying Mental Blocks
• Removing Mental Blocks
• Stimulating Creativity

Module Six: Generating Solutions (I)

• Brainstorming Basics
• Brainwriting and Mind Mapping
• Duncker Diagrams

Module Seven: Generating Solutions (II)

• The Morphological Matrix
• The Six Thinking Hats
• The Blink Method

Module Eight: Analyzing Solutions

• Developing Criteria
• Analysing Wants and Needs
• Using Cost/Benefit Analysis

Module Nine: Selecting a Solution

• Doing a Final Analysis
• Paired Comparison Analysis
• Analysing Potential Problems

Module Ten: Planning Your Next Steps

• Identifying Tasks
• Identifying Resources
• Implementing, Evaluating, and Adapting

Module Eleven: Recording Lessons Learned

• Planning the Follow-Up Meeting
• Celebrating Successes
• Identifying Improvements

Module Twelve: Wrapping Up

• Words from the Wise
• Lessons Learned
• Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations