TEC 830

Creative Problem Solving

Lesson Seven

Methods & Techniques for Stimulating Creativity - I

Alex Osborn, in Applied Imagination describes the “Creative Act” as existing in four phases: 1) Preparation, 2)Incubation, 3) Illumination, and 4) Verification. Others say creativity is more complex and CANNOT be sequenced!

In this lesson, we will discuss the creative actions and some basic methods and techniques for stimulating creativity. Brainstorming, a most important technique, will be introduced.

Lesson Outline:

1. The Creative Act

Are there patterns of creative thought? Are certain conditions necessary?

- According to Osborne, four phases follow the initial impulse to create 1) Preparation, 2) Incubation, 3) Illumination, and 4) Verification.

- Others say that the creative act is more complex and CANNOT be sequenced!

- Phase 1 (Preparation) -- a long conscious preparation followed by non-conscious activity; the creator reads, notes, discusses, questions, collects information, explores; the positives and negatives of possible solutions are weighed; the ideas of others are investigated (this is a “springboard for our imagination!); the successes and failures of others are studied.

- Phase 2 (Incubation) -- the unconscious mind takes over; connections are made that are the “essence of creation;” this phase may be long or short; it may occur simultaneously with the preparation phase; the unconscious mind “uncovers the fruits of its labor.”

- Phase 3 (Illumination) -- the solution to the problem is grasped; the facts are focused; the chain of ideas is complete; everything “falls into place;” the imagination take command.

- Phase 4 (Verification) -- intellect and judgment complete the work that the imagination has initiated; the results of the initial impulse are consciously elaborated, altered and corrected; the finished product is envisioned.

2. 101 CPS techniques by Higgins (Chapter 2 - CPS Process)

- Analyzing the environment.

- Recognizing a problem.

- Identifying the problem.

- Making assumptions.

- Generating alternatives.

- Choosing among alternatives.

- Implementation.

- Building creativity into problem solving.

3. Techniques for analyzing the environment

- Comparison against others.

- Benchmarking.

- Racing against phantom competitors.

- Hiring futurists and consultants.

- Monitor “weak” signals.

4. Techniques for recognizing problems

- Checklists.

- Inverse brainstorming.

- Limericks and parodies.

- Listing complaints.

- Role playing.

- Group approaches.

5. Techniques for identifying problems

- Bounce it off someone else.

- Consensus building.

- Draw a picture of the problem.

- Fishbone diagram.

- Redefining a problem or opportunity.

- Rewriting objectives in different ways.

- What patterns exist?

- Why - Why diagrams.

6. Brainstorming

Brainstorming is an important procedure in the problem solving process. This method of gaining options relies on the input from a diverse group of people with various backgrounds. The participants rely upon the facilitator to keep the brainstorming session progressing and obeying the four basic rules listed below.

Four basic rules:

A) Criticism is ruled out.

B) Freewheeling is wanted.

C) Quantity is wanted.

D) Combination and improvements are sought.

Procedures to follow:

A) A facilitator needs to be identified and the group needs to be diverse with open minds.

B) Have a recorder write questions or concerns to be brainstormed.

C) List as many possible ideas as can be generated, stress quantity and freewheeling.

D) Encourage and support the work of listing ideas.

E) When ideas cease, review ideas. This may generate new ones.

F) Begin the combination and improvement phase.

G) Final review of list, see if any idea can be stated more clearly.

H) Brainstorming session ends. If the group needs to look at implementation, they might need to divide the list into three categories:

a) those which can be used immediately (or no-cost)

b) those which are near-future possibilities (or low-cost)

c) those which will be studied over a loner time period (or high-cost)

7. Individual processes for generating creative alternatives (from 101 CPS Techniques)

- Analogies and metaphors.

- Analysis of past solutions.

- Association.

- Attribute association chain.

- Attribute listing.

- Direct analogies.

- Establish idea sources.

- Idea notebooks.

- Input - output.

- Listening to music.

- Mind - mapping.

- Name possible uses.

- Napoleon techniques.

- Organized random search.

- Personal analogies.

- Picture stimulation.

- Product improvement checklist.

- Relatedness.

- Relational words.

- Sleeping - Dreaming Ou - It.

- Using the computer.

- Verbal checklist.

- Visualization.

- What if?

Assignment:

1. Select three work - related topics (problems) that might be used for a brainstorming session.

2. Discuss the technique for stimulating creative thinking assigned to you during online. Include at least one reference.

References:

1. Applied Imagination by Alex Osborn, 1953.

2. 101 Creative Problem Solving Techniques by James M. Higgins, 1994.