What is Creative Problem Solving?

Summary

Creative Problem-Solving (CPS) is a structured approach to tackling challenges and generating innovative solutions. It involves stages such as clarifying the problem, idea generation, development, and employment. CPS utilizes both divergent and convergent thinking to refine ideas into practical solutions. Facilitators guide the process, ensuring focus and efficiency without influencing the content, aiming to leave participants feeling productive and ready to implement their creative ideas.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Creative Problem-Solving (CPS) is a natural thinking process for addressing challenges and finding creative solutions.
• 🛠 CPS includes tools to improve performance and help reach more innovative solutions to problems in life.
• 🎯 CPS is applicable to any issue where ownership, motivation, and imaginative thinking are required, such as personal, educational, and organizational challenges.
• 📝 CPS is structured into stages, allowing for a step-by-step approach to problem-solving.
• 🔍 The 'Clarifying' stage is crucial for understanding the vision and formulating the challenge clearly.
• 💡 The 'Idea Harvesting' (IDH) stage is where a multitude of ideas are generated, increasing the likelihood of finding a novel and useful solution.
• 🛑 The 'Developing' stage refines the chosen idea, analyzing its aspects and improving it into a workable solution.
• 🚀 In the 'Employment' stage, the solution is explored for acceptance, and a plan is formulated to implement it.
• 🧠 CPS utilizes both divergent thinking for idea generation and convergent thinking for narrowing down to the best options.
• 🔧 Various tools assist in each stage of CPS, helping groups to overcome challenges and stay focused.
• 👩‍🏫 CPS is often facilitated by a knowledgeable and objective person who guides the group through the process without influencing the content.
• 🌟 A good facilitator possesses qualities like open-mindedness, flexibility, and awareness of group needs, and they help the group to be effective, efficient, and creative.

Q & A

What is CPS and why is it important?

CPS stands for Creative Problem-Solving, a natural thinking process for addressing challenges. It's important because it helps to generate novel solutions, keeps individuals focused, and facilitates the implementation of creative ideas in various life situations.

What are the key stages of the CPS process?

The key stages of the CPS process include the clarifying stage, where the vision and challenge are explored and formulated; the idea generation stage (IDH), where ideas are brainstormed; the development stage, where ideas are analyzed and improved; and the employment stage, where solutions are accepted and a plan is formulated.

Why is it necessary to have a clearly stated challenge in the CPS process?

A clearly stated challenge is necessary to provide a solid foundation for the rest of the CPS process. It helps to guide the direction of the brainstorming and solution development, ensuring that efforts are focused and relevant to the problem at hand.

What is the role of divergent and convergent thinking in the CPS process?

Divergent thinking is used to generate many possibilities, while convergent thinking helps to narrow down to the best options. These thinking processes are employed in each stage of CPS to foster creativity and select the most effective solutions.

How does the CPS process accommodate different starting points for different situations?

Although CPS is divided into stages, it is flexible and allows individuals to start at different points depending on the situation. This adaptability ensures that the process can be tailored to the specific needs and starting conditions of each unique challenge.

What is the purpose of tools in the CPS process?

Tools in the CPS process are designed to assist groups in getting unstuck, staying on track, and reaching consensus. They help to enhance creativity, organize information, and promote effective group dynamics.

What is the role of a facilitator in a CPS session?

A facilitator in a CPS session is responsible for managing the process, ensuring that the group works together effectively and follows the steps of the CPS process. They do not participate in the content generation but help the group to achieve their objectives efficiently and effectively.

What qualities make a good facilitator in the CPS process?

A good facilitator should possess qualities such as open-mindedness, good thinking skills, awareness of the group's needs, and flexibility. They should be experts in the CPS process, capable of bringing focus, structure, and promoting participation from all group members.

How does a facilitator contribute to the effectiveness of a CPS session?

A facilitator contributes by organizing information, promoting diverse viewpoints, asking for feedback, celebrating progress, and encouraging participation. They choose appropriate tools to help the group be effective, efficient, and creative.

What is the expected outcome of a good CPS session?

A good CPS session should leave the participants feeling productive, excited, and prepared to take action. It should enable them to turn their creative solutions into reality.

In what contexts can CPS be applied?

CPS can be applied in various contexts such as personal challenges, educational settings, organizational issues, and group or individual problem-solving scenarios that require imaginative thinking.