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Step 1: Validate the problem and write a creative problem statement. |
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Purpose: A problem is generally not isolated but is on a continuum that is always subject to change. Take some time to observe the current situation for other potentially more critical problems to work on. Note: It is far better to have difficulty solving the correct problem than developing a brilliant solution to the wrong problem. |
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Facilitator Tools |
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Eyes-of-the-beholder Viewpoints |
Define problems/opportunities from others viewpoints. |
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Reframe the Problem or Opportunity |
Reframe the problem to get new perspectives. |
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Real Problem Analysis: |
Determine the right level at which the problem should be resolved. |
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Problem (Opportunity) Statement: |
Describe the exact nature of the problem. |
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Creative Focus Statement: |
Reconfigures the problem in a way that is almost impossible to approach in a typical manner and stretches creativity. |
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Step 2: Understand the problem and define the innovation requirements. |
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Purpose: The purpose of this task is to help direct how creative thinking energies will be used. The more a situation is clearly understood, the more effective the creative thinking will be. There is a positive correlation between people who develop more creative ideas with those that have acquired relevant background knowledge. |
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Facilitator Tools |
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Basic Background Information: |
Understand key facts and knowledge. |
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Transient (Change) Description: |
Describes how the current problem came about. |
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Mind Mapping Brainstorming: |
Develop ideas using geometric interrelationships. |
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Interactions & Relationships: |
In reality, all problems and opportunities are about people. |
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Idea & Solution Requirements: |
Good ideas need understanding of the end requirements. |
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Step 3: Prepare your mind for creative thinking. |
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Purpose: The purpose of this task is to prepare your mind to produce more and better creative ideas. One of the easiest and most productive ways to do this is simply to incubate thinking for a period of time. You can literally instruct your subconscious to “get back to me when you have a solution or idea”. |
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Facilitator Tools |
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Incubation: |
Give your subconscious mind time to work |
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Classic Group Brainstorming: |
Generate a great deal of ideas in a short period of time. |
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Personal Brainstorming: |
Sometimes individual brainstorming can produce the best ideas. |
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Brainstorming with Note Cards: |
Encourages independent contributions from everyone. |
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Attribute Brainstorming: |
Modify attributes in ways that stimulate new ideas or solutions. |
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Step 4: Generate lots of creative ideas. |
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Purpose: The objective of this task is to generate a large number of different ideas. The chances of developing a truly creative solution are increased substantially when you have a large pool of ideas to consider. |
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Facilitator Tools |
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Basic Creativity & SCAMPER: |
Use these questions to generate a large number of ideas. |
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Thinking in Associations: |
One thought or idea leads to another. |
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Thinking in Analogies: |
Converting the strange into the familiar generates creative ideas. |
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Thinking in Reverse: |
Tap the backward aspects of situations can yield very creative ideas. |
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Wishful Thinking: |
Consider the impossible, to know the outer limits of what IS possible. |
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Tap Your Subconscious For Ideas: |
Release the powers of their subconscious mind. |
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Step 5: Turn creative ideas into valuable innovative ideas. |
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Purpose: Creating ideas is relatively easy but transforming them into solutions can be very difficult. This task reduces the large number of ideas to those considered most reasonable to develop into solutions (solutions are simply ideas that are effectively ‘implement-able’). |
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Facilitator Tools |
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Categorize and Synthesis Ideas: |
Narrow choices into manageable groupings. |
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Refine Ideas: |
Eliminate the disadvantages and improve upon an ideas advantages |
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Practical & Innovative Ideas/Solutions |
Transform creative ideas into workable solutions. |
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Step 6: Develop evaluation criterion and select decision making strategy. |
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Purpose: Deciding which alternative solution to implement goes beyond simply selecting the solution that best resolves the problem. In addition, there is a natural human tendency to use a decision making process that we are familiar with. Using the wrong decision making method can lead to an incorrect decision. So pick the right one! |
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Facilitator Tools |
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Decision Making Criterion: |
Choose the evaluation criterion that meets your needs. |
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Decision Making Tools & Strategies: |
Select the right decision making method and tools. |
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Step 7: Decide on the best innovative solution to implement. |
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Purpose: Be conscious of decision-making habits/biases. It does no good if the best solution is discarded because fixed mental models and decision-making habits takeover. Note: A decision is only as good, even if a correct decision, as it can be successfully executed without creating more damage than it solves. |
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Facilitator Tools |
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Idea Evaluation: |
Rank each idea with a numerical score and compare scores of all ideas. |
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Force Field and Change Analysis: |
Decide based on driving and restraining forces. |
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Pros and Cons Analysis |
Adds a high level of logical decision making which aids implementation. |
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Intuitive Coin Flip: |
Start utilizing your intuition to help make better decisions. |
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Validate the Correctness of the Decision: |
Does the decision create more damage than good. |
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