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What Is Creative Problem-Solving & Why Is It Important?
- 01 Feb 2022
One of the biggest hindrances to innovation is complacency—it can be more comfortable to do what you know than venture into the unknown. Business leaders can overcome this barrier by mobilizing creative team members and providing space to innovate.
There are several tools you can use to encourage creativity in the workplace. Creative problem-solving is one of them, which facilitates the development of innovative solutions to difficult problems.
Here’s an overview of creative problem-solving and why it’s important in business.
Access your free e-book today.
What Is Creative Problem-Solving?
Research is necessary when solving a problem. But there are situations where a problem’s specific cause is difficult to pinpoint. This can occur when there’s not enough time to narrow down the problem’s source or there are differing opinions about its root cause.
In such cases, you can use creative problem-solving , which allows you to explore potential solutions regardless of whether a problem has been defined.
Creative problem-solving is less structured than other innovation processes and encourages exploring open-ended solutions. It also focuses on developing new perspectives and fostering creativity in the workplace . Its benefits include:
- Finding creative solutions to complex problems : User research can insufficiently illustrate a situation’s complexity. While other innovation processes rely on this information, creative problem-solving can yield solutions without it.
- Adapting to change : Business is constantly changing, and business leaders need to adapt. Creative problem-solving helps overcome unforeseen challenges and find solutions to unconventional problems.
- Fueling innovation and growth : In addition to solutions, creative problem-solving can spark innovative ideas that drive company growth. These ideas can lead to new product lines, services, or a modified operations structure that improves efficiency.
Creative problem-solving is traditionally based on the following key principles :
1. Balance Divergent and Convergent Thinking
Creative problem-solving uses two primary tools to find solutions: divergence and convergence. Divergence generates ideas in response to a problem, while convergence narrows them down to a shortlist. It balances these two practices and turns ideas into concrete solutions.
2. Reframe Problems as Questions
By framing problems as questions, you shift from focusing on obstacles to solutions. This provides the freedom to brainstorm potential ideas.
3. Defer Judgment of Ideas
When brainstorming, it can be natural to reject or accept ideas right away. Yet, immediate judgments interfere with the idea generation process. Even ideas that seem implausible can turn into outstanding innovations upon further exploration and development.
4. Focus on "Yes, And" Instead of "No, But"
Using negative words like "no" discourages creative thinking. Instead, use positive language to build and maintain an environment that fosters the development of creative and innovative ideas.
Creative Problem-Solving and Design Thinking
Whereas creative problem-solving facilitates developing innovative ideas through a less structured workflow, design thinking takes a far more organized approach.
Design thinking is a human-centered, solutions-based process that fosters the ideation and development of solutions. In the online course Design Thinking and Innovation , Harvard Business School Dean Srikant Datar leverages a four-phase framework to explain design thinking.
The four stages are:
- Clarify: The clarification stage allows you to empathize with the user and identify problems. Observations and insights are informed by thorough research. Findings are then reframed as problem statements or questions.
- Ideate: Ideation is the process of coming up with innovative ideas. The divergence of ideas involved with creative problem-solving is a major focus.
- Develop: In the development stage, ideas evolve into experiments and tests. Ideas converge and are explored through prototyping and open critique.
- Implement: Implementation involves continuing to test and experiment to refine the solution and encourage its adoption.
Creative problem-solving primarily operates in the ideate phase of design thinking but can be applied to others. This is because design thinking is an iterative process that moves between the stages as ideas are generated and pursued. This is normal and encouraged, as innovation requires exploring multiple ideas.
Creative Problem-Solving Tools
While there are many useful tools in the creative problem-solving process, here are three you should know:
Creating a Problem Story
One way to innovate is by creating a story about a problem to understand how it affects users and what solutions best fit their needs. Here are the steps you need to take to use this tool properly.
1. Identify a UDP
Create a problem story to identify the undesired phenomena (UDP). For example, consider a company that produces printers that overheat. In this case, the UDP is "our printers overheat."
2. Move Forward in Time
To move forward in time, ask: “Why is this a problem?” For example, minor damage could be one result of the machines overheating. In more extreme cases, printers may catch fire. Don't be afraid to create multiple problem stories if you think of more than one UDP.
3. Move Backward in Time
To move backward in time, ask: “What caused this UDP?” If you can't identify the root problem, think about what typically causes the UDP to occur. For the overheating printers, overuse could be a cause.
Following the three-step framework above helps illustrate a clear problem story:
- The printer is overused.
- The printer overheats.
- The printer breaks down.
You can extend the problem story in either direction if you think of additional cause-and-effect relationships.
4. Break the Chains
By this point, you’ll have multiple UDP storylines. Take two that are similar and focus on breaking the chains connecting them. This can be accomplished through inversion or neutralization.
- Inversion: Inversion changes the relationship between two UDPs so the cause is the same but the effect is the opposite. For example, if the UDP is "the more X happens, the more likely Y is to happen," inversion changes the equation to "the more X happens, the less likely Y is to happen." Using the printer example, inversion would consider: "What if the more a printer is used, the less likely it’s going to overheat?" Innovation requires an open mind. Just because a solution initially seems unlikely doesn't mean it can't be pursued further or spark additional ideas.
- Neutralization: Neutralization completely eliminates the cause-and-effect relationship between X and Y. This changes the above equation to "the more or less X happens has no effect on Y." In the case of the printers, neutralization would rephrase the relationship to "the more or less a printer is used has no effect on whether it overheats."
Even if creating a problem story doesn't provide a solution, it can offer useful context to users’ problems and additional ideas to be explored. Given that divergence is one of the fundamental practices of creative problem-solving, it’s a good idea to incorporate it into each tool you use.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a tool that can be highly effective when guided by the iterative qualities of the design thinking process. It involves openly discussing and debating ideas and topics in a group setting. This facilitates idea generation and exploration as different team members consider the same concept from multiple perspectives.
Hosting brainstorming sessions can result in problems, such as groupthink or social loafing. To combat this, leverage a three-step brainstorming method involving divergence and convergence :
- Have each group member come up with as many ideas as possible and write them down to ensure the brainstorming session is productive.
- Continue the divergence of ideas by collectively sharing and exploring each idea as a group. The goal is to create a setting where new ideas are inspired by open discussion.
- Begin the convergence of ideas by narrowing them down to a few explorable options. There’s no "right number of ideas." Don't be afraid to consider exploring all of them, as long as you have the resources to do so.
Alternate Worlds
The alternate worlds tool is an empathetic approach to creative problem-solving. It encourages you to consider how someone in another world would approach your situation.
For example, if you’re concerned that the printers you produce overheat and catch fire, consider how a different industry would approach the problem. How would an automotive expert solve it? How would a firefighter?
Be creative as you consider and research alternate worlds. The purpose is not to nail down a solution right away but to continue the ideation process through diverging and exploring ideas.
Continue Developing Your Skills
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or business leader, learning the ropes of design thinking can be an effective way to build your skills and foster creativity and innovation in any setting.
If you're ready to develop your design thinking and creative problem-solving skills, explore Design Thinking and Innovation , one of our online entrepreneurship and innovation courses. If you aren't sure which course is the right fit, download our free course flowchart to determine which best aligns with your goals.
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Creative problem solving and decision making, scheduled dates.
Contact the CLIP Customer Success team at [email protected] or (609) 777-2225.
Cost per Person: $159
Pre-Requisite: None
Length: 6 hours
Class Time: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Course Description
Employees who excel in crafting creative solutions and making informed decisions are in high demand and are significantly valued in any team or organization. In fact, thinking critically to reach good decisions not only results in increased job satisfaction, but personal fulfillment. During this course, you will take part in engaging activities to develop rational decision-making skills, uncover common barriers to solving problems, and explore several techniques to generate innovative ideas.
Learning Objectives :
- Define key aspects of problem solving and decision making
- Differentiate between routine and non-routine problems that occur in the workplace
- List the steps of an effective problem-solving process model
- Identify common barriers to problem solving
- Identify current decision-making strengths and weaknesses
- Describe an effective decision-making strategy
- Identify group decision-making techniques
- List the steps in effective decision making
- Identify the pros and cons of individual and team decision making
Registration
Learning Management System Users: Please login into your Learning Management System account and navigate to “Now Enrolling” from the “Browse” drop-down menu. Select the training you wish to register for and click “Enroll.” This will initiate the required approval process.
External participants, can click here to complete the HR-1 Training Authorization Form. Your direct supervisor, departmental training coordinator, and fiscal officer must approve the form. HR-1's received without proper approval will be returned to the Department's Training Coordinator.
Please note: You are not scheduled for the requested classroom training until you receive an official email confirmation from CLIP.
If you have any questions about the program or the registration process, you can reach a customer success representative by calling (609) 777-2225 or emailing [email protected].
A $20 administrative fee will apply to learners who do not have Learning Management System (LMS) platform accounts.
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Effective Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
This course is part of multiple programs. Learn more
This course is part of multiple programs
Instructor: Diane Spiegel
Financial aid available
267,275 already enrolled
(7,154 reviews)
What you'll learn
Explain both the affordances and limitations associated with problem-solving and decision-making
Reflect on how mindset and personal bias influence your ability to solve problems and make decisions
Explain and discuss how organizational decisions or non-decisions impact personal development, team dynamics, and company-wide performance
Articulate how both good and bad team decisions can benefit your professional growth
Skills you'll gain
- Critical Thinking
- Decision Theory
- Decision-Making
- Problem Solving
Details to know
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There are 4 modules in this course
Problem-solving and effective decision-making are essential skills in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing workplace. Both require a systematic yet creative approach to address today’s business concerns. This course will teach an overarching process of how to identify problems to generate potential solutions and how to apply decision-making styles in order to implement and assess those solutions. Through this process, you will gain confidence in assessing problems accurately, selecting the appropriate decision-making approaches for the situation at hand, making team decisions, and measuring the success of the solution’s implementation. Using case studies and situations encountered by class members, you will explore proven, successful problem-solving and decision-making models and methods that can be readily transferred to workplace projects.
Upon completing this course, you will be able to: 1. Identify key terms, styles, and approaches to effective problem-solving and decision-making 2. Explain both the affordances and limitations associated with problem-solving and decision-making 3. Reflect on how mindset and personal bias influence your ability to solve problems and make decisions 4. Explain and discuss how organizational decisions or non-decisions impact personal development, team dynamics, and company-wide performance 5. Articulate how both good and bad team decisions can benefit your professional growth
Identify the Problem
Problem-solving is an essential skill in today's fast-paced and ever-changing workplace. It requires a systematic approach that incorporates effective decision-making. Throughout this course, we will learn an overarching process of identifying problems to generate potential solutions, then apply decision-making styles in order to implement and assess those solutions. In this module, we will learn to identify problems by using a root cause approach as a foundational tool. Additionally, we will address problem parameters that often occur in business situations. Throughout this course, we will utilize a case scenario that will provide specific examples to illustrate the steps in the problem-solving and decision-making process.
What's included
1 video 7 readings 1 assignment 1 discussion prompt
1 video • Total 5 minutes
- Accurately Identify the Problem • 5 minutes • Preview module
7 readings • Total 55 minutes
- Problem Solving in Today’s Workplace • 5 minutes
- Introduction: Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Process • 10 minutes
- The Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Process • 5 minutes
- Course Example: Hybrid Work Environment • 5 minutes
- Parameters • 10 minutes
- Identify the Problem • 15 minutes
- Review: Identify the Problem • 5 minutes
1 assignment • Total 30 minutes
- Module 1 Quiz • 30 minutes
1 discussion prompt • Total 30 minutes
- Benefits and Drawbacks of Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Process • 30 minutes
Generate Solutions
In the previous module, we learned how to identify the root cause of a problem. Now we will discuss how mindset and personal bias can potentially limit creativity in solving workplace challenges. We’ll review problem-solving styles and creativity enhancement approaches to generate a variety of unique solutions while addressing constraints and limited resources.
1 video 6 readings 1 assignment 1 discussion prompt
1 video • Total 4 minutes
- Generate Multiple Solutions with Various Team Perspectives • 4 minutes • Preview module
6 readings • Total 80 minutes
- Introduction • 5 minutes
- Mindset & Personal Bias • 10 minutes
- Problem Solving Styles • 20 minutes
- Generate Solutions • 30 minutes
- Generate Solutions: Hybrid Work Environment Example • 10 minutes
- Review: Generate Solutions • 5 minutes
- Module 2 Quiz • 30 minutes
- Mindset & Personal Bias • 30 minutes
Make the Decision
In the previous module, we learned how to generate a variety of creative solutions. Now we need to decide which solution is the best option. We will explore which decision-making styles lend themselves to best solve the problem given its affordances and limitations. Tips for making better decisions are outlined as well as hazards to avoid.
1 video 5 readings 1 assignment 1 discussion prompt
1 video • Total 3 minutes
- Make the Decision • 3 minutes • Preview module
5 readings • Total 55 minutes
- Decisions Making Styles • 10 minutes
- Choose a Solution • 20 minutes
- Make the Decision: Hybrid Work Environment Example • 10 minutes
- Review: Make the Decision • 10 minutes
- Module 3 Quiz • 30 minutes
- The Impact of Decisions • 30 minutes
Implement and Assess the Solution
In the previous module, we learned how to make the decision given the best information at hand. Once the decision is made, it’s time to implement and assess the chosen solution. As we get ready to implement, we are well-served to review situational variables as elements in the environment may have shifted during the decision-making process. We will also need to define the solution’s performance metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in order to later measure or assess the solution’s impact on the organization. Anecdotal data is equally valuable as it can share the emotional impact on employees.
- Measure Success Through Data • 3 minutes • Preview module
- Implement the Solution • 30 minutes
- Assess the Solution • 10 minutes
- Review: Implement and Assess the Solution • 5 minutes
- Final Message • 5 minutes
- Module 4 Quiz • 30 minutes
- Implement & Assess the Solution • 30 minutes
Instructor ratings
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Learner reviews
7,154 reviews
Showing 3 of 7154
Reviewed on Dec 23, 2022
thanks to this course i been more enhance my skill of problem solving in my profession and using different technique to solve the problems and making the best decission making
Reviewed on Sep 24, 2024
The course provided a roadmap that can be used to solve problems of varying levels of complexity. I will apply the framework my solving problems both personally and professionally.
Reviewed on Jan 13, 2016
The course is a very straight forward overview of problem solving and decision making principles. A good introduction to using various supporting decision tools. Short and effective module.
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
Feb 1, 2022 · Creative Problem-Solving and Design Thinking. Whereas creative problem-solving facilitates developing innovative ideas through a less structured workflow, design thinking takes a far more organized approach. Design thinking is a human-centered, solutions-based process that fosters the ideation and development of solutions.
Define key aspects of problem solving and decision making; Differentiate between routine and non-routine problems that occur in the workplace; List the steps of an effective problem-solving process model; Identify common barriers to problem solving; Identify current decision-making strengths and weaknesses; Describe an effective decision-making ...
Dec 18, 2014 · Other times the problem is so unusual that it challenges rational and critical thinking; here lies the importance of objectively analyzing to formulate a decision, and here is when creative problem-solving and decision-making become invaluable tools. This course covers the most important creative problem-solving and decision-making approaches.
Jul 28, 2023 · Effective Problem-Solving Critical thinking facilitates the identification of underlying issues, the generation of innovative solutions and the evaluation of their viability.
Upon completing this course, you will be able to: 1. Identify key terms, styles, and approaches to effective problem-solving and decision-making 2. Explain both the affordances and limitations associated with problem-solving and decision-making 3. Reflect on how mindset and personal bias influence your ability to solve problems and make ...
Take charge of your life and learn creative problem solving and decision making techniques in order to gain the best outcome out of life’s everyday challenges. Alison's New App is now available on iOS and Android!