Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making
Knowledge of creative problem-solving methods helps in better interpersonal relations. Ability to handle workplace stresses / issues more creatively/ objectively. Develop better analytical skills in problem-solving.
The course focuses on:
- Build and expand decision making, critical thinking and creative problem solving skills
- Apply logical and creative approaches to solving problems and making decisions
- Use traditional and creative tools for identifying causes and generating solutions
- Employ creativity and lateral thinking as business tools
- Analyze and solve actual problems facing them at work
- Demonstrate and build credibility with upper management
- Develop strategic approaches to problem solving and decision making
- Recognize the Psychology of Problem Solving
- Apply Evaluative Tools and Techniques for Decision Making Process
- Identify Strategic Considerations in Evaluating Risks and Implementing Solutions
This course is designed for professionals who want to improve their ability to solve problems creatively, make effective decisions, and drive innovation within their organizations.
This course typically involves a combination of theoretical frameworks, practical exercises, group discussions, and real-world applications.
Course Outline
Introduction to Problem Solving and Creative Thinking
The Problem Solving Method
- What is Problem Solving?
- What is Creative Problem Solving?
What is Creativity?
- Understanding Creativity and Innovation
- Definition of Creativity
- Creativity and intelligence
- Convergent Versus Divergent
- Left Brain Versus Right Brain
- The two Tents of Creativity
Serendipity and Black Swans
Defining the Problem
- What techniques are helpful in systematically exploring a problem domain?
- How to search for root causes of problems and visualize this using a powerful technique?
Process of Creativity and Innovation (4 Steps of Creativity)
- Preparation, Incubation, Illumination and Verification
Creative principles
What is Lateral Thinking?
- Randomize
- Challenge
- Expand Concepts
Logical Thinking
- Ask the Right Questions
- Organize the Data
- Evaluate the Information
- Draw Conclusions
Critical Thinkers
- Active Listening
Curious, Disciplined and Humble
Generating Ideas
- How to generate lots of ideas as a group and methodically organize them as they are generated?
- How to use a powerful visual technique to increase the creativity of a group in coming up with new ideas?
- How to avoid killing new ideas before they can be given a chance?
How to get a group to cooperate with each other when solving a problem rather than competing with each other?
Brainstorming
- What should you do to improve your brainstorming sessions?
- What are good questions to ask in a meeting or when someone suggests an idea?
- What are bad questions?
- What are commonly used brainstorming techniques?
What are their strengths and limitations?
Planning
- What is a Work Breakdown Structure?
- How can you use Gantt charts to plan?
- How to analyze work package dependencies to find out how late a work can finish without affecting the overall schedule?
How to analyze requirements to make sure you only focus on those that matter the most and can prioritize your plan?
What is Decision Making
- What are the characteristics of a good and bad decision maker?
- How much analysis do you need to do?
What is involved in decision making process?
What tools can you use to increase your creativity when making decisions
How to Analyze the Impact of Your Actions
- How to use a measure to compare pros and cons?
- How to carry out a force field analysis?
- How to compare the benefits versus the costs of taking different options?
- How to systematically analyze a cascade of decisions where one leads to another?
- How to visualize your decision making process?
- What tools can you use to increase your creativity when making decisions so you can come up with more options?
How to Choose Actions
- How to choose between a set of options where each has its own advantages and disadvantages?
- How to make a quantifiable comparison between alternative options?
- How to systematically compare related options?
- How to systematically compare unrelated options?
How to Analyze the Impact of Your Actions
- How to use a measure to compare pros and cons?
- How to carry out a force field analysis?
- How to compare the benefits versus the costs of taking different options?
- How to systematically analyze a cascade of decisions where one leads to another?
- How to visualize your decision making process?
What tools can you use to increase your creativity when making decisions so you can come up with more options
How to Decide in Groups
- What are the implications of deciding in groups?
- Why thinking in groups can sometimes be so frustrating?
- What can you do to increase the efficiency of your meetings?
- How to prevent dominant people from take over the meeting or the decision making process?
- How to encourage newcomers or those who are shy to present their views without fear of criticism?
- What tools can you use to streamline the process of group decision making?
How to avoid groupthink, where participants are so eager to reach a decision without causing conflicts that they end up choosing a wrong solution?
What are the Principles of Decision Making?
- Do you always have to make sure you get a better bargain than others?
- What are the philosophical implications of complexity when making decisions?
- What is the best way to plan your course of action and what principles you need to be aware of?
What can you learn from game theory when making decisions?