• Understand problems and the creative problem solving process
• Identify types of information to gather and key questions to ask in problem solving
• Identify the importance of defining a problem correctly
• Identify and use four different problem definition tools
• Write concrete problem statements
• Use basic brainstorming tools to generate ideas for solutions
• Use idea generating tools, such as affinity diagrams, word chaining, the box method, the six thinking hats, and the blink method
• Evaluate potential solutions against criteria, including cost/benefit analysis and group voting
• Perform a final analysis to select a solution
• Understand the roles that fact and intuition play in selecting a solution

Creative Problem Solving – Module 1
Getting Started

• Introduction to Workshop
• Workshop Objectives

Creative Problem Solving – Module 2
The Problem Solving Method

• What is a Problem?
• What is Creative Problem Solving?
• Steps in the Creative Solving Process

Creative Problem Solving – Module 3
Information Gathering

• Understanding Types of Information
• Identifying Key Questions
• Methods of Gathering Information

Creative Problem Solving – Module 4
Problem Definition

• Defining the Problem
• Determining Where the Problem Originated
• Defining the Present State and the Desired State
• Stating and Restating the Problem
• Analyzing the Problem
• Writing the Problem Statement

Creative Problem Solving – Module 5
Preparing for Brainstorming

• Identifying the Mental Blocks
• Removing Mental Blocks
• Stimulating Creativity

Creative Problem Solving – Module 6
Generating Solutions (I)

• Brainstorming Basics
• Brain-writing and Mind Mapping
• Duncker Diagrams

Creative Problem Solving – Module 7
Generating Solutions (II)

• The Morphological Matrix
• The Six Thinking Hats
• The Blink Method

Creative Problem Solving – Module 8
Analyzing Solutions

• Developing Criteria
• Analyzing Wants and Needs
• Using Cost/Benefit Analysis

Creative Problem Solving – Module 9
Selecting a Solution

• Doing a Final Analysis
• Pair Comparison Analysis
• Analyzing Potential Problems

Creative Problem Solving – Module 10
Planning Your Next Steps

• Identifying Tasks
• Identifying Resources
• Implementing, Evaluating, and Adapting

Creative Problem Solving – Module 11
Recording Lessons Learned

• Planning the Follow-Up Meeting
• Celebrating Successes
• Identifying Improvements

Creative Problem Solving – Module 12
Wrapping it up

• Words from the Wise
• Action Plan and Ealuation

• To be introduced to the concept of solving problems using a creative process
• To learn the six major steps to implement solutions to almost any kind of problem
• To understand types of information, and how it will help you in problem solving

• You want to be clear on stating and restating the problem
• You want to learn about information gathering to solve a problem
• You want to define the present state to lead to the desired state
• You need to define actions for the problem to be solved

• Clearly identifying problems to brainstorm solutions
• Removing mental blocks and stimulating creativity
• Generating solutions
• Using “brain tools” such as Mind Mapping and Brainwriting to generate ideas
• Problem solving being approached from a creative useful manner

Participants: 15 – 30
Duration: 2 days
Course Fee: Level 5* , per person
Includes: Manual, Certificate of Completion

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