ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The Creative Problem Solving Model

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 Outcomes

• Understand different types of thinking

• Overcome communication barriers
• Make better group communication
• Assign tasks accordingly

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 Lou Holtz’s conclusion

Never tell any one your problems.

20% don’t care.
80% are glad that you have them.

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 NO!!!!
Lou Holtz’s conclusion

Never tell any one your problems.

20% don’t care.
80% are glad that you have them.

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OK, it’s time to tell everyone…

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Creative problem solving metaphor

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 Outline of creative problem solving steps

Problem
definition

Solution
Idea generation
implementation

Idea Idea
judgment synthesis

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 Outline of creative problem solving steps

C, D - Explorer
A, B - Detective

Solution
Idea generation
implementation

Idea Idea
judgment synthesis

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 Outline of creative problem solving steps

C, D - Explorer
A, B - Detective

Solution C, D - Artist
implementation

Idea Idea
judgment synthesis

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 Outline of creative problem solving steps

C, D - Explorer
A, B - Detective

Solution C, D - Artist
implementation

Idea D, A - Engineer
judgment

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 Outline of creative problem solving steps

C, D - Explorer
A, B - Detective

Solution C, D - Artist
implementation

A, B - Judge D, A - Engineer

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Outline of creative problem solving steps

C, D - Explorer
A, B - Detective

B, C - Producer C, D - Artist

A, B - Judge D, A - Engineer

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 What-if exercise

1. What if gravity were suspended for 10 minutes each day –

how would bedrooms and bathrooms have to be redesigned?

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 What-if exercise

2. What if people all looked identical – how would one be

identified as an individual?

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 What if ?

Detective
Explorer
Engineer
Artist
Judge
Producer

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PROBLEM DEFINITION

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Creative problem solving metaphor

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 Explorer – Divergent thinking

1. Read for hours per day

2. Develop observation skills and make questions
3. Find opportunities

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 Tools and techniques and for explorers

1. Search the web

2. Enhance your intuitive insight
3. Mind mapping

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Detective – Convergent thinking

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 Tools and techniques and for detectives

1. Ask questions (Kepner-Tregoe approach)

2. Surveys
3. Introspection
4. Statistical process control (SPC)
• Check sheets, histograms, cause and effect diagram, Pareto diagram, scatter
diagram, process control charts, additional documentation.
5. Force field analysis
6. Other methods

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 How to complete the problem definition phase

1. Resource assessment
• Is the problem an emergency?
• How much time available for problem solving
• Who is available to help you?
• What about finance?
• What is your budget?
2. Briefing document

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 How to complete the problem definition phase

1. Resource assessment
2. Briefing document
3. Problem definition statement
4. Incubation and collective notebook

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 Contents of the briefing document

1. Background and context of the problem, including trends

2. Specific data collected about the problem, with data analysis
3. Summary of things that were tried but did not work
4. Thoughts on possible solutions that have come to mind
5. Conclusion: What is the real problem?
6. The problem definition statement expressed as a positive goal

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 Positive problem definition

1. “Secondary school students have a hard time understanding

the concept of centripetal force.”
2. “Design a mini merry-go-round that will let students
experience centripetal force.”
3. “Teachers need an inexpensive device (presently unavailable)
to use in the classroom to enable students to experience and
experiment with rotational motion and the forces involved.”

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IDEA GENERATION

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Creative problem solving metaphor

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 Brainstorm – storm of ideas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEusrD8g-dM

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 Artist

Information Idea

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 FOUR rules of brainstorming

1.Generate as many solutions as possible

quantity counts
2.Wild ideas are welcome
be as creative as you can be
3.“Hitchhiking” is encouraged
build on the ideas of others
4.No criticism is allowed
defer judgment

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Preparation for brainstorming

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Creativity encouraged environment

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 Brainstorming process

1. Briefing
2. Review rules and required mindset
3. Explain the procedure
4. Warm-up exercise
5. Brainstorming
6. Close
7. Dismissal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS3GQSgr4KE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAidvTKX6xM

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 Other brainstorming methods

• Pin card method: For small group of shy people

• Crawford slip writing: Each person submits 20-30 ideas
• “Ringgi” process: Each person modifies a proposed idea
• Panel method: Some brainstorm, other jot down
• Electronic brainstorming/bulletin board
• Mind mapping

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 High-tech (electronic) brainstorming

• IdeaFisher
• MindManager Pro 6
• Imagination 8

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 Do it RIGHT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K8W4ooygUU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAidvTKX6xM

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IDEA EVALUATION

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Creative problem solving metaphor

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 Engineer

• Categorize
• Mesh
• Develop
• Improve
• Synthesize
• Force-fit
• Generate additional creative ideas

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 FOUR rules of creative idea evaluation

1.Look for quality and “better” ideas

quality counts
2.Make wild ideas more practical
stepping-stones
3.Synthesize ideas to obtain more complete, optimized solutions
integrate ideas
4.Maintain a positive attitude, continue to defer critical judgment
defer judgment

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 Time and preparation

1 day delay
Post-it notes with ideas and ID number
Blank cards
Pens in different colors
Paper clips
Rubber bands
Flip chart
Markers
Masking tape

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 Creative idea evaluation process

1. Sort related ideas into categories with title cards

2. Develop quality ideas within a category
3. Force-fitting unrelated ideas between categories

STOP!
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 Judge

Weigh alternatives to determine the “best” solution

Use sense of timing to figure out if decisions can be made
quickly or after long study
Use safe-keeping B quadrant thinking
Overcome flaws from C and D quadrant thinking
Look ahead to consider the risk and impact of the solution

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 Techniques for idea judgment

Prepare a list of criteria

Judge by vote
Identify an idea’s advantages, limitations and potentials (ALP)
Reverse brainstorming
Trial-and-error method
Taguchi method (based on a small designed experiments)

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Decision making

See Ref. 4.1

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SOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION

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Creative problem solving metaphor

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 Producer

Manager who is
Courageous
Optimistic
Good communicators
Whole brain

See Ref. 4.2

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 Work plan

Make plans with exact steps for implementation

Answer:
Who, what, when, where, why and how
Cost budgets and time schedules
Prevention of possible failure

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 Monitor the implementation

Make sure final product works well

Plan a first review of the product after 2 weeks, 6-12 months
Regularly track your success
Monitor trends and interact with customers
Give positive feedback to your team

https://d2pq0u4uni88oo.cloudfront.net/projects/747306
/video-377648-h264_high.mp4

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