Transcript Creative Problem Solving

Creative Problem
Solving
Strategies for Success
Recognizing the Real Problem
The mere formulation of a problem is far
more often essential than it's solution,
which may be merely a matter of
mathematical or experimental skill. To
raise new questions, new possibilities,
to regard old problems from a new
angle requires creative imagination and
marks real advances in science.
Albert Einstein
The Situation
Determine the “Mess”
What is the issue?
Recognize the problem.
Begin to think about what is really going on to
create the problem.
It may not be the most obvious issue or
problem.
Problem Definition
Think about the problem in the broadest
sense.
Begin to define the “sub-problems”.
The Big Hairy Mess
Smaller Scary Problem
Smaller Scary Problem
Smaller Scary Problem
Smaller Scary Problem
Coming to Terms With the “MESS”
List it all
Start writing/brainstorming:
What is the:
Intended change
Best and worst case scenario.
Desire/Goal
Elimination of Vagueness
in the
Big Hairy Mess
Explain the situation or vague problem.
Give the
Who, What, When, Where, Why & How.
Report it without opinion or emotion.
Report just the facts.
Just the Facts, Ma’am
Work on column 1, then 2, then 3
What other
information would
you like to have
about the problem?
List fact finding
questions. Make no
judgments
Where could you get
the answers?
List sources for
information.
Circle the best
Circle the most
significant questions. sources.
As you are able
investigate circled
sources. If you can not
do this now, move to
the next page.
Idea Finding
1. In what ways might I fix…. (write in the
circled problem from the previous page).
2. List all the ideas that might answer the
above question.
Use “SCAMPER” to add to the list. Substitute,
Combine, Adapt, Magnify/Minimize, Put to another
use, What/who Else?, Reverse/Rearrange
3. *Place an asterisk by the best ideas.
Solution-Finding
Evaluation of ideas:
What are the yardsticks by which you can
test the ideas?
These criteria are a further measure fo
your awareness of the problem. Think
about problems that might be brought
about by each solution. Try to anticipate
all side effects. Look at the facts for the
situation for leads to important criteria.
Chart the Ideas
Criteria
Indicate decision
below
Can it be
modified to
improve its
rating?
Idea
Idea rating scale: 1=poor to 5=excellent
Learning to Love the Solution
This sheet is designed to help put the solution
into effect. This should be done for each idea
selected.
Select the first idea (or combination of ideas) selected from
the previous worksheet and write it here:
Column A
How can it be made it
work?
Column B
Who, when, where
Column C
How or why &
gaining acceptance
from others
Go back and circle the best ones in Column A. For circled idea list further thoughts.
Search for alternatives. In Columns B & C. Circle the best alternatives in each case.