CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

ROUTINE THINKING VS CREATIVE THINKINGROUTINE THINKING CREATIVE THINKING

Regular, ordinary, conventional thinking.

Does not lead to new ideas or new patterns of thought, only imitates or perpetuates old patterns of thinking and leads to conclusions that have already been reached.

The process used to come up with new/fresh ideas.

Using lateral thinking solves problems through reasoning to find solutions that are not immediately obvious/unusual solution.

ELABORATE ON THE MEANING OF CREATIVE THINKING• A way of looking at problems from a fresh perspective that leads to unusual

solutions/• Thinking original/• Lateral thinking (outside of the box)

CREATIVE THINKING IN THE WORKPLACE

How does creative thinking BENEFIT the business?/ ADVANTAGES OF CREATIVE THINKING.• Improves product to maintain demand• Finds better ways to serve consumer• Increase productivity and time is utilised more effectively.• Increase profitability • Helps a business to identify ways to respond to threats.• Complex business problems may be solved. • Improves motivation amongst staff members.• Managers will be better leaders as they will be able to handle/ manage

changes positively and creatively.• Employees and management can keep up with fast changing technology.

Barriers to creative thinking• Stress about meeting demands and deadlines• Fear of failure• Negative attitude• Following rules without thinking• Making assumptions• Prioritising logic over imagination• Lack of creativity.• Financial barriers.• Poor working conditions.• Lack of resources/ infrastructure.• Lack of motivation/ low morale.

HOW TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT PROMOTES CREATIVE THINKING?/ RECOMMEND WAYS IN WHICH A BUSINESS CAN DEVELOP NON-CONVENTIONAL SOLUTIONS• Doing research and providing data• Setting up suggestion box• Encourage the breaking of habits that constrain innovation• Educating/ training employees• Change perspectives• Exposing to different cultures• Focusing employees on needs of the consumers• Give time to experiment• Deliver something• Think big start small• Being prepared for mistakes• Rewarding success

Mental blocks to creativity and idea generationMental blocks: Psychological state where you are unable to think creatively

How can mental blocks be removed?:• Taking a break/ exercise• Talking to an objective person about a problem• Taking action/ even if a person is unsure of choice, it will stimulate creative

thoughts

PROBLEM SOLVING

DEFINITION OF PROBLEM SOLVING : • Finding solutions to problems• Process of analysing a situation, identify strategies and make changes.• If it is effective, leads to good decision making.

Problem solving cycle:• Identify the problem• Define the problem• Formulate a strategy• Implement the strategy• Allocate resources• Monitor the process• Evaluate to see if the problem has been solved

Problem solving vs Decision makingPROBLEM SOLVING DECISION MAKING

Complex techniques often used to formulate and implement a strategy

Choices has been made between various solutions

On-going process Achieve closure on the problem

One person/ group Normally one person

Occurs through consultation and discussions

Often happens in an autocratic way

MORE ADVANCE PROBLEM SOLVING TECHNIQUES

• Delphi technique• Force field analysis• Brainstorming• SCAMPER• Nominal group technique• Empty chair technique• Forced combination technique• Mind mapping

Delphi techniqueSteps in the Delphi technique process• Panel of experts are selected to answer a questionnaire; DON’T MEET

EACH OTHER• Answer questionnaire anonymously• Answers are processed• From 1st questionnaire; 2nd questionnaire is developed• Process continues until experts agree.

Advantages:• Experts opinions without bringing them together.• Experts opinions need to reach consensus before decision is followed

through.• Experts have the freedom to state their ideasDisadvantages:• Long process• Expensive technique due to high administration costs.• Not all experts are always willing to give feedback/ complete questionnaires.• May never agree with each other

Force field analysisDefinition• Look at forced might get in the way- restraining forces AND forced help to

reach a goal- driving forces• Gives scores to these forces in order to help reach a decision.

Process of force field analysis• Identify all the forces influence the decision• Weigh up the advantages/disadvantages (forces for/ forces against)• Give each a score• Add scores and determine which forces weigh the most• Driving forces>- go with decision• Restraining forces> do NOT go for decision

Advantages:• Well-considered and balanced solutions• Make people feel that their ideas is consideredDisadvantages:• Based scores on assumptions rather than facts• Must requires FULL participation

Illustration of Force-field analysis:Forces for the change Upgrade

the storeForces against the change

3 Customers want more space

Loss of sales when upgrade takes place

3

5 Increase sales Loss of customers 1

4 Can keep more stock- so stock will be available

Have to pay rent, but do not have any income

3

2 Can keep a greater variety of products

Cost 5

14 Total Total 12

BrainstormingDefinition• Group of people come up with a large number of ideas to solve a problem

Process of brainstorming• Participants are divided into smaller groups.• Sessions are limited to agreed time limit.• Problem that need to be solved need to be defined.• Participants must feel free to suggest any ideas. • NO criticism of any idea is allowed.• Facilitator writes down ideas on notice board.• Many ideas can often be unpractical/ unsuitable.• Participants work together to go through all the ideas and the most suitable

one is selected.

Advantages: Team can be open to new ideas/ encourages creative thinking Build on each other’s ideas Stimulates creative thinking. Allow members to look at problem from different angles.

Disadvantages: Shy people might not give valuable inputs Ideas can be unrealistic. Discussions can be dominated by one strong team member.

Nominal group techniqueDefinition• Brainstorm process where participants suggest solutions and then vote on

them.

Process of nominal group technique• Think of ideas- write down solutions• Report ideas- share solutions with group• Clarify ideas- Discuss ideas openly• Rank ideas- Rank ideas in order of importance• Announce solutions- Most popular idea is chosen

Advantages:• Limits the influences of dominant personalities• Shy people participate• Generate more ideas

Disadvantages:• Doesn’t allow further development• Very mechanical lacking spontaneity/ creativity• Its time consuming, as each member must make a presentation.

SCAMPER

Definition Requires a person to ask directed questions regarding a problem in order to

come up with new ideas.

What does SCAMPER stands for?• Substitute:– Replace with something new• Combine:– Put things together in a creative way• Adapt:– Change in response to changes in the environment• Magnify:– Increase in size• Put to another use:– Find new/ other purpose for existing product • Eliminate:– Get rid of• Rearrange:– Put things together in different way

Empty chair techniqueDefinition• Role play used to explore human relationships from more than one viewpoint• Solve ideas ON YOUR OWN

Process of empty chair technique Person is required to sit on a chair facing another empty chair. Person is asked to express one side of an argument/ point of view. The person then has to switch to the other chair and express the other side of

an argument/ point of view.

Advantages:• Explores problem in depth• Release of emotional tension Disadvantages:• Not provide specific solution• It can be limited by the imagination and empathy of the person

Forced combinationDefinition• Combining ideas to simulate new ideas

Advantages:• Team open to new ideas• Leads to new ideasDisadvantages:• Ideas can be unrealistic• Require a lot of creative input

Mind mappingDefinition• Allow people to jot down ideas on a particular issue in a visual and logical

way.

Process of mind mapping/ 4 elements of mind mapping There is a central focus Various branches, representing different concepts, are added. These branches have numerous, thinner branches, showing sub-concepts. In turn, these branches off into even thinner branches, which contain more

detail.

Advantages:• Stimulate creative thinking• Allows for analysis and synthesisDisadvantages:• Difficult for people to decide what to include• Doesn’t provide specific solution

CONVENTIONAL VS NON- CONVENTIONAL SOLUTIONS

Difference between conventional and non-conventional solutionsConventional solutions• Draws on common valuable experiences to solve a problem

Non-conventional solutions• Solution that has not yet become established as a common practice.