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1.1.1. Creative Problem Solving Techniques
Creative problem-solving usually begins with defining the problem. This may
lead to a simple non-creative solution, or to finding a “textbook solution”.
The creative problem-solving process may also lead to the discovery of prior
art and of creative solutions by others. The process, in these cases, may then
be abandoned, if the discovered solution is “good enough”.
Apart from normal problem solving techniques, different creative problem
solving techniques are as follows:
1.1.1.1. Six Thinking Hats
Six Thinking Hats is a proven problem-solving technique developed by Dr.
Edward de Bono, who is regarded as the leading international authority in
the field of creative thinking, innovation, and the direct teaching of thinking
as a skill. The de Bono methods are based on an understanding of how the
brain handles information, yet they are very simple, practical, and are used by
people of all ages and professions.
Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hat system helps to take control of life once and
for all. Through practice and a systematic implementation of this process, it
never feels the need to give up searching for an ideal solution to the problem or
circumstances.
Each of the Six Thinking Hats represents a different direction or type of
thinking, which is identified by a colour. Using the hats in a sequence, one
after another, allows examining a problem thoroughly. The process reduces
confusion and keeps thinking on track. The Six Hats techniques help to
clarify the focus of our thinking so we have a thorough understanding of the
problem, which will help to manage the time as efficiently as possible.
Types of Thinking Hats
The six thinking hats are as follows:
1) White Hat: White hat calls for information known or needed. It covers
facts, figures, data, and information. There are too often facts and figures
that are embedded in an argument or belief. Wearing white hat allows to
present information in a neutral and objective way.
2) Yellow Hat: The yellow hat is for optimism and the logical positive
CE Namrata
1.1.2. Creative Problem Solving
Generally, creative problem solving starts with problem definition and lead to
finding a “textbook solution” or a simple non-creative solution. The
discovery of prior arts and of creative solutions by others may also lead by
the process of creative problem-solving. In these cases, if the discovered
solution is “good enough”, the process may then be abandoned.
There are various creative problem solving techniques are as follows apart
from the normal problem solving techniques:
1.1.2.1. Six Thinking Hats
Dr. Edward de Bono, who is regarded as the leading international authority
in the field of innovation, creative thinking and the direct teaching of thinking
as a skill has developed a proven problem solving technique called as “Six
Thinking Hats”. However, based on an understanding of how the
information is handled by the brain, the de Bono methods are used by the
people of all ages and professions and are very practical and simple to use.
People can take control of life once and for all with the help of Edward de
Bono’s Six Thinking Hat system. People never feel the need to give up
searching for an ideal solution to the problem or circumstances through
practice and a systematic implementation of this process.
Different type of thinking or direction, which is recognised by the different
colours, is represented by each of the Six Thinking Hats. One is able to
examine the problem thoroughly by using the hats in a sequence, one after
another. The confusion can be reduced and the thinking keeps on the track
with the help of this process. Thus, one can have better understanding of
problem which allows him to manage his time as efficiently as possible with
the help of Six Thinking Hat techniques.
Types of Thinking Hats
Following are the six different types of Thinking Hats:
1) White Hat: The information needed or known is represented by the
white hat. The facts, data, information, and figures are all comes under
the white thinking hat. Often, there are many facts and figures which are
 view of things. Wearing the yellow hat allows person to look for benefits, rooted in belief or argument. One is allowed to present information in a
feasibility, and how something can be done. Yellow hat thinking is a neutral and objective way who wears white thinking hats.
deliberate search for the positive. Every creative idea deserves some 2) Yellow Hat: The logical positive view of things and optimism is
yellow hat attention. represented by Yellow Hat. This hat represents a thoughtful search for
3) Black Hat: Wearing the black hat allows considering proposals critically positive. A person is allowed to look for benefits, feasibility and how
and logically. The black hat is used to reflect on why a suggestion does something is done who wears yellow thinking hat. A yellow hat attention
not fit the facts, the available experience, or the system in use. Wearing is deserved by every creative idea.
black hat involves considering the following issues: 3) Black Hat:
i) Costs, ii) Regulations,
iii) Design, iv) Materials, and
v) Safety issues.
Mistakes can be disastrous. So the black hat is very valuable. It signifies
caution and critical thinking but do not overuse it.
4) Red Hat: Red hat signifies feelings, hunches, and intuition – the place
where emotions are placed without explanation. Usually, feelings and
intuition can only be introduced into a discussion if they are supported by
logic. Often, the feeling is genuine but the logic is false. Wearing the red hat
allows to put forward feelings and intuitions without the need for
justification, explanation, or apology. The red hat allows feelings to come
into the discussion without pretending to be anything else. It is always
valuable to get feelings out into the open.
5) Green Hat: The green hat is specifically concerned with creating new
ideas and new ways of looking at things. It includes:
i) Creative thinking,
ii) Additional alternatives,
iii) Putting forward possibilities and hypothesis,
iv) Interesting proposals,
v) New approaches, and
vi) Provocations and changes.
The green hat makes time and space available to focus on creative
thinking. Even if no creative ideas are forthcoming, the green hat asks
for the creative effort. Often green hat thinking is difficult because it
goes against our habits of recognition, judgment, and criticism.
6) Blue Hat: It is used to manage the thinking process. It controls the
sequence of thinking. The blue hat is the overview or process control. It
is for organising and controlling the thinking process so that it becomes
 more productive. The blue hat is for thinking about thinking. In technical
terms, the blue hat is concerned with meta-cognition.

1.1.1.2. Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a note-taking system that uses images, colour, words, and
numbers arranged in a connected, radiant, and hierarchical structure. Tony
Buzan, Chairperson of Brain Foundation, U.S.A., is the originator of this
technique.
Mind mapping is a concept that will assist one to make plans and decisions.
In other words, it is an important technique that improves the way one
records information, and supports and enhances their creative problem-
solving.
Mind maps can also be used to describe the different personalities and roles
that exist within management teams, and is a useful framework for thinking
about how personalities may (or may not) work well together.
Mind maps help people to learn things more effectively. They are now being
used throughout the world to improve the quality of learning, thinking, and
working.

Techniques of Mind Mapping

There are many independent techniques of mind mapping which serve a
specific purpose like creative and report writing, reading, visual memory,
meeting notes, speeches, re-structuring of ideas, originality, etc. These
techniques are:
1) Mnemonic Mind Map Technique: The word mnemonic means mindful.
Mnemonic techniques involve the use of imagination and association in
order to produce a new and memorable image. These are concerned with
the various techniques involved in storing facts, ideas, and concepts in
one’s memory and their retrieval. For example, if one uses striking
images for coding data, the connection built is so strong that it remains so
and the image seen in future will prompt immediate retrieval of the idea
associated.
2) Computer Mind Map Technique: With the introduction of computer
based mind mapping in the last couple of years, mind mapping has
become even easier. Mind mapping software such as Tony Buzan’s
iMindMap utilises the true principles of mind mapping and duplicate the
 non-linear thinking process of the brain, creating an explosion in
creativity, innovation and knowledge sharing. Computer based mind
mapping software enables to arrange information in expandable and
collapsible topic trees. It enables to embed documents, links, notes and
other data within the structure of map, transforming it into the equivalent
of a powerful visual database.
3) Hierarchy-Based Mind Map Technique: A hierarchy-based mind map
is similar to a flow chart, though in function it acts as a dynamic,
graphical outline that helps the user organise his thoughts. In effect, it
takes the old hierarchical outline, makes it into a graphic and adds a free-
flow aspect to it as one idea branches off from another.
4) Creative Thinking Mind Map Technique: Creative thinking mind map
utilises all the creative thinking skills. They generate ever-increasing
mental energy as the mind mapper moves towards his/her goal. They
allow the mind mapper to view a great many elements all at once, thus
increasing the probability of creative association and integration. They
enable people’s brains to track out ideas which normally lie in obscurity
on the edge of their thinking.
5) Mind Map Organic Study Technique (MMOST): Mind Map Organic
Study Technique (MMOST) was devised by Tony Buzan, the renowned
inventor of the Mind Map. It includes following steps:
i) Browse: First and foremost, before you take any notes, flip through
the entire book or article to get a general feel of the information.
ii) Time or Amount: Decide on the time you are going to spend
studying or the amount of material you are going to cover in that
time.
iii) Knowledge Mind Map: If you already know information about the
subject, spend about five minutes quickly mind mapping what you
know.
iv) Goals Mind Map: Create a separate mind map to define your goals
for the study session and include questions you want answered from
the article or book you are about to study.
v) Take an Overview of the Material: To do so, look at results,
illustrations, summaries, conclusions, table of contents, capitalised
words and other important elements rather than read the content word
 for word.  This will help you determine the structure of your mind
map and provide you with relevant information to create the Basic
Ordering Ideas (BOIs) or the main branches of your mind map.
vi) Preview:  In this step, concentrate on the beginning and ends of
paragraphs, chapters and sections.
vii) Inview:  In this step, fill the in rest of the information that was not
covered in the previous steps.
viii) Review:  In this stage, go back over areas that you skipped and
review the text to add important information that you have not
already included your mind map.