INTRODUCTION TO CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING

1. Introduction to creative problem solving

By reading this topic you will understand the basic principles, tools and techniques of creative problem solving. You will be able to use various thinking techniques in the process of creative problem solving.

1.1. Creative problem solving

Creation of new ideas, independent thinking, non-stereotypical, quick orientation in difficult situations, solving problems in an original way - all this is called creativity. 

Creativity is often associated with the artistic field. It is thought that creativity equals creation and that only artists are engaged in it. However, creativity and its development should not be relevant only for artists - it plays an important role in solving problems in various fields, and creative human abilities determine cultural, artistic, scientific, technological, social, economic and other progress.

Creativity is identified as one of the most important human competencies of the future. The importance of this skill will only grow in the future. A study conducted by Harvard researchers revealed that creativity is a necessary factor for successful business growth - this skill not only promotes innovative thinking of employees, increases their productivity level, but also essentially increases business resilience to crisis situations. Therefore, many employers will continue to intensively search for employees who are able to think creatively and make innovative decisions.

So are you creative? 

Do the test Am I creative? 

For each statement, answer True or False:

Thus, creativity helps to find new ideas, innovative ways to solve problems. So what exactly is creative problem solving?

Creative education foundation defines creative problem solving (CPS) as a proven method for approaching a problem or a challenge in an imaginative and innovative way. It helps you redefine the problems and opportunities you face, come up with new, innovative responses and solutions, and then take action.

Creative problem solving might be explained as a sum of these part:

Creative problem solving (CPS) involves breaking down a problem to understand it, generating ideas to solve the problem and evaluating those ideas to find the most effective solutions. It uses techniques to make the problem solving process engaging and collaborative. The CPS process was conceived by Alex Osborn and Dr. Sidney Parnes in the 1940s.

Practice with Giraffe test. The Giraffe test and similar riddles are designed to challenge people’s lateral thinking, encouraging creative problem-solving rather than conventional or logical approaches.

What are the benefits of creative problem solving? 

The benefits of creative problem solving (CPS) are numerous and can be impactful in both personal and professional contexts. 

In essence, creative problem-solving is a valuable skill that can benefit individuals and organizations in countless ways. By cultivating this ability, you can unlock your potential, overcome challenges, and achieve greater success.

1.2. The process of creative problem solving

The process of creative problem solving (CPS) is a structured approach that enables individuals or teams to generate innovative solutions to complex problems. It consists of several stages, each designed to encourage creative thinking while moving systematically toward a practical outcome.

Picture source: https://www.creativeeducationfoundation.org/what-is-cps/

Creative problem solving is a dynamic process that blends creativity with structure. It encourages exploration of new ideas, fosters collaboration, and leads to innovative solutions that might not be discovered through conventional methods.

Source: Sara Smith Youtube channel 

Key elements of creative problem solving:

• Divergent thinking: the ability to generate multiple and unusual ideas.
• Convergent thinking: the ability to narrow down ideas to the most promising ones.
• Flexibility: the willingness to consider different perspectives and approaches.
• Curiosity: a desire to explore new possibilities and learn.
• Persistence: the ability to persevere through challenges and setbacks.

By following these steps and incorporating these key elements, you can effectively apply creative problem solving to tackle complex challenges and find innovative solutions.

CPS is a system that helps us think creatively and come up with new ideas. It works by switching between different ways of thinking, which helps us avoid making decisions too soon. CPS is flexible and can be used with many different creative methods.

1.3. Divergent and convergent thinking

It is said that creative problem solving works, because it begins with two assumptions: everyone is creative in some way and creative skill can be learned. 

CPS identifies two distinct kinds of thinking that are essential to be creative: 

Divergent thinking: often referred to as lateral thinking, is the process of creating multiple, unique ideas or solutions to a problem that you are trying to solve – brainstorming is the divergent thinking phase of the CPS process. Through spontaneous, free-flowing thinking, divergent thinking requires coming up with many different answers or routes forward.

Convergent thinking: focuses on reaching one well-defined solution to a problem from brainstormed ideas so that those ideas can become actionable innovations. This type of thinking is best suited for tasks that involve logic as opposed to creativity, such as answering multiple-choice tests or solving a problem where you know there are no other possible solutions. 

Watch a video Convergent thinking versus divergent thinking and think:

Can you explain the difference between divergent thinking and convergent thinking?

To which way of thinking would you classify yourself: divergent or convergent? Why?

Source: John Spencer Youtube channel

In the divergent phase, we brainstorm widely, considering all possibilities without judgment. This openness allows us to explore ideas we might normally reject, leading to innovative solutions. In the convergent phase, we narrow down our options and choose the best path to reach a final answer.

Source: Creative problem solving handbook. Material of Inclusive Innovation Connector Meeting, Barcelona, 2017

The principles of divergent thinking

The principles of convergent thinking

Divergent and convergent thinking are two essential cognitive processes that work together to foster innovation and problem-solving. The divergent phase encourages open-mindedness and creativity by generating a wide range of ideas without judgment. This allows for exploration of unconventional paths and potential breakthroughs. In contrast, the convergent phase focuses on narrowing down options and selecting the most promising ones based on criteria such as feasibility, effectiveness, and alignment with goals.

By effectively combining divergent and convergent thinking, individuals and teams can achieve a balanced approach to problem-solving. Divergent thinking provides a rich pool of ideas, while convergent thinking ensures that these ideas are evaluated and refined into practical solutions. This iterative process allows for the development of innovative and effective approaches to challenges.

In summary, convergent thinking focuses on reaching one, well-defined solution to a problem, while divergent thinking involves more creativity and accepts multiple solutions to a problem.

Do some practice. Practical task. Divergent and convergent thinking

Objective of the task: to practice divergent and convergent thinking in a creative problem-solving.