Creative Problem Solving

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Creative Problem Solving

• Chapter 13

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• Make it a practice to keep on the lookout for
  novel and interesting ideas that others have used
  successfully. Your idea only has to be original
  in its adaptation to the problem you are working
  on.
• Thomas Alva Edison

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The Importance of Creative Problem Solving

• We live in a world where there appear to be more
  problems than solutions, making life potentially
  stressful.
• Every problem has more than one solution, but to
  waste creative efforts only leads to more stress
• Employing your creative skills is empowering
• Its always good to brush up on your creative
  skills

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The Creative Process Described by Maslow

• Maslow called the creative process the art of
  being happily lost in the present moment.
• Maslow divided the creative process into
• primary creativity (origin of ideas)
• secondary creativity (strategic plan)

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Roger von Oechs Four Phases of Creative Thinking

• The Explorer - looks for ideas
• The Artist - plays with ideas
• The Judge judges and selects the best ideas
• The Warrior - champions the best idea

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The Biggest Danger in the Creative Process

• The biggest problem in the creative process is
  getting the order wrong. The Judge goes third,
  not first, but most people forget this and let
  the judge go first, thus squelching every
  potential idea. This is creative suicide!

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• If your only tool is a hammer,
• Youll see every problem as a nail.
• -Abraham Maslow

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Connect all 9 dots with 4 straight lines. Go
through each dot only once. Do not lift your
pencil from the paper.
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Obstacles to the Creative Process

• The right answer.
• Im not creative.
• Dont be foolish.
• To err is wrong.

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Arthur VanGundysObstacles to the Creative
Process

• Perceptual roadblocks
• Emotional roadblocks
• Intellectual roadblocks
• Cultural roadblocks
• Environmental roadblocks

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A Creative Problem-Solving Strategy

• Describe the problem or issue.
• Generate some viable ideas.
• Select the best idea(s) and refine.
• Implement the best idea.
• Evaluate the outcome (Did it work? Why or why
  not? If not, start over again to find the best
  solution.)

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The Map of Creative Problem Solving
Description of the problem
Generating ideas
Idea selection and refinement
Evaluation and analysis of action plan
Idea implemen- tation
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Best Application of Creative Problem Solving

• We are all bound to have problems to solve from
  small issues to huge dilemmas.
• We all have the skills (four aspects of
  creativity) to use in every situation.
• Creative problem solving will prove to be your
  most valuable coping skill for every stressor.