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T1 W5 Gr 12 Business Studies Lesson: Creative Thinking & Problem Solving
2021 FET Term 1 Week 5 Gr 12 Business Studies Lesson: Creative Thinking & Problem Solving
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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.
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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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GRADE 12 . TERM ONE . CHAPTER 4 . NOTES ON CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING . 2019 . TABLE OF CONTENTS . TOPICS PAGES Exam guidelines for creative thinking and problem solving 1 Terms and definitions 2 Differences between problem solving and decision making 3 Problem solving steps 3 Application of problem solving steps 3-4
Distinguish between problem-solving and decision-making. Name/Outline/Apply the steps in problem Identify and address challenges from given -solving techniques. Apply creative thinking skills to solve complex Explain the benefits/advantages of creative Evaluate the impact (positives/negatives) of creative thinking/problem-solving techniques, e ...
Business roles Grade 12 - Paper 2 1 TOPIC: PROBLEM SOLVING AND CREATIVE THINKING Meaning of problem solving • It is the process of analysing a situation to identify strategies that can be used to change the situation. Problem solving requires creative thinking.
T1 W5 Gr 12 Business Studies Lesson: Creative Thinking & Problem Solving. Free. Download. Type: pdf. Size: 0.28MB. Share this content. 2021 FET Term 1 Week 5 Gr 12 Business Studies Lesson: Creative Thinking & Problem Solving.
creative thinking and problem-solving. After founding the Creative Problem Solving Institute, CEF sponsored, with Parnes and Noller teaching, the nation's first creative ... "Creative Problem Solving" generates variations on the method can be traced back to the work of Alex Osborn in the 1940s, developed with Sid Parnes in the 1950s, and
distinct kinds of _____ are essential to being creative: Divergent Thinking: Generating lots of _____ Convergent Thinking: _____ options, making decisions Each of us does both kinds of thinking on a daily basis. The secret to creating new ideas,
Creative Thinking What it is: Creative thinking encourages students to use a variety of approaches to solve problems, analyze multiple viewpoints, adapt ideas, and arrive at new solutions. Sometimes it is referred to as divergent thinking. Strategies can be introduced using direct instruction in creative problem solving models and creative ...
Brookhart defines creative thinking as a means of putting things together in new ways - either conceptually or artistically, as well as observing things others might miss, constructing something new, or using unusual or unconventional imagery to make an interesting point. "Many will discredit the existence of creativity in the rank of higher ...
Creative Problem Solving (CPS) is a structured process for solving problems or finding opportunities, used when you want to go beyond conventional thinking and arrive at creative (novel and useful) solutions. A primary ... 12/11/2009 11:06:11 PM ...
CPS is a comprehensive system built on our own natural thinking processes that deliberately ignites creative thinking and produces innovative solutions. Through alternating phases of divergent and convergent thinking, CPS provides a process for managing thinking and action, while avoiding premature or inappropriate judgment. It is built upon a ...
University of Utah
4. Problem solving requires creative thinking. THE MEANING OF DECISION MAKING. 1. Decision making is a choice made by using one's judgement. 2. It is also aimed at finding a solution to a problem by choosing a best solution or course of action. Need to know. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROBLEM-SOLVING AND DECISION MAKING.
It's thinking on purpose! Critical thinking involves mindful communication, problem-solving, and a freedom from bias or. About This Workbook. egocentric tendency. You can apply critical thinking to any kind of subject, problem, or situation you choose. The activity pages in the Critical Thinking Workbook are meant to be shared and explored.
Problem solving requires creative thinking. • Problem solving is a mental process that involves problem finding, which is the ability to identify the problem. • It also involves problem shaping, which is the ability to break-down the problem in such a way that a clear solution can be found. 1.2 Meaning of decision making • Decision making ...
Creative & Critical Thinking Activities - for grade levels 1-5 - we don't use these as worksheet books but rather pull ideas out of the book to use in teaching creativity. Math-a-Logic by Dianne Draze Red Herrings Science Mysteries(Solving Problems through Critical Questioning by: M.A. Rockett Dr. Funster's Think a Minutes
Creative thinking will make students move "sideways" to try different perceptions, different concepts, different points of entry. Students can use various methods including provocations to solve the problems. Creative thinking has very much to do with perception to put forward different views. The different views are not derived each from the
The purpose of this chapter is to describe what we mean by "creative approaches to prob - lem solving." As a result of reading this chapter, you will be able to do the following: 1. Describe the four basic elements of the system for understanding creativity. 2. Explain what the terms creativity, problem solving, and creative problem solving
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.
Ruby Lazarus's notes CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: What is creativity: • Specific way of thinking • Results from originality of thought, expression etc. • Some people have natural talent BUT there are many techniques and skills learnt which can enhance creativity • Crucial aspect in modern day business = to cope with fast growth of technological changes and to stay ahead in ...
CREATIVE THINKING & PROBLEM SOLVING CHAPTER 4 2 CONTENT DETAILS FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT PURPOSES Learners must be able to: • Distinguish between problem solving and decision making. • Name/Outline/Apply the steps in problem-solving from given scenarios/case studies. • Identify businesses challenges from given scenarios and apply problem-solving techniques to solve business ...
Davis (1984) expla ins six reasons why Ma thematics instruction needs to emphasize creativity: (1) Mathematics. comprises a wide and complex knowledge that cannot be taught only through memorizing ...
DECISION MAKING PROBLEM SOLVING -It is often done by one person/a member of senior management who makes it authoritarian.-Problems can be solved by a group/ team or an individual team member.-Various alternatives are considered before deciding on the best one.-Alternative solutions are generated/ identified and critically evaluated.-It is part of the problem solving cycle as decisions need to ...