Creative Problem solving

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 the workshop.

Creative problem solving course outline:

Module one: Getting started

  • Icebreaker
  • Housekeeping items
  • The parking lot
  • 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
  • Analysing 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
  • Brain writing and mind mapping
  • Duncker diagrams

Module seven: Generating solutions (II)

  • The morphological matrix
  • The six thinking hats
  • The blink method

Module eight: Analysing 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
  • Review of parking lot
  • Lessons learned
  • Completion of action plans and evaluations

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