UNR1102 - Creativity and innovation

Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky

Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT)

Fall 2023 Semester

AASTMT - Alexandria
Creative Design Thinking
Innovation Methods
 A mind map helps you brainstorm freely without worrying
about the organization. It helps you visualize and

What is analyze your ideas.

A Mind Map represents tasks, words, concepts, or items

mind around a primary notion or subject using a non-linear

graphical style that helps the user to develop an intuitive
framework.

mapping? A Mind Map can turn a large list of repetitive facts into a
colorful, memorable, highly organized diagram.
 Brainstorming and visualizing concepts

Presenting and communicating ideas

Mind mapping Running meetings more effectively

is perfect for:
Outlining reports and documents

Simplifying task and project management

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 4

How do mind All mind maps use lines, symbols,
words, colors, and images according to
maps simple, brain-friendly notions.

harness the
brain's The mind map is the external mirror of
your natural thinking, enhanced by a
power? strong graphic technique that unlocks
the brain's dynamic potential.

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 5

 The major idea, subject, or focus is in one image.

The five Main themes radiate from the core image as

branches.

essential
characteristics Each branch's line has a key image or keyword.

of mind
Topics of less importance are 'twigs' of the relevant
mapping branch.

The branches form nodes.

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 6

 SCAMPER
Creative thinking and problem-solving are key to
turning ideas into innovation and breaking creative
obstacles.

SCAMPER is a successful creative thinking method,

which is built on the principle that what is new is a
modification of old things.

SCAMPER was created to help brainstorming sessions

by asking focused questions.

SCAMPER stands for (S) substitute, (C) combine, (A)

adapt, (M) modify, (P) put to another use, (E)
eliminate, and (R) reverse.

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 7

 How does SCAMPER technique works?

Take an existing product, service, or idea you want to improve or develop further.

Then, ask about each of the seven elements.

Use the questions to brainstorm about values, benefits, services, product

features, pricing, and markets.

Check your answers. Are any answers practical? Could you employ any of these
to establish a new product?

Explore good ideas further.

SCAMPER - Substitute

The substitute technique replaces product, service, or solution parts.

During this section of the meeting, attendees decide to substitute a

process step.

The substitute technique provides alternative solutions for decision-

makers to assess.

The questions in this technique can include the following:

• Who or what can be substituted without affecting the process?

• Can the project time or place be replaced?
• Where else could you sell the product?
• Can we substitute the current device with another better one?
• Can we replace the process with a simpler one?

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 9

SCAMPER - Combine
The combine technique analyses the feasibility of integrating two
ideas, stages of a process, or products into one.

Combining two original concepts can create a market-strong product

or technology.

Combining phone and digital camera technology created a novel

telecom product.

The questions in this technique can include the following:

• Can we merge two steps of the process?

• Can we apply two processes at the same time?
• Can our company combine resources with another partner in the market?
• Can we mix two or more components together?
• Can we combine X and Y technologies?

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 10

SCAMPER - Adapt

Adapt refers to brainstorming to improve a product or service.

This modification can be slight or substantial.

Adaptation improves existing systems to tackle challenges.

The questions in this technique can include the following:

• What would we need to change to reach better results?
• What else could be done in this specific task?
• How can we improve the existing process?
• How can we adjust the existing product?
• How can we make the process more flexible?

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 11

SCAMPER - Modify, minify or magnify

Modifying a process to release innovation or solve difficulties is

the alter technique.

This reform focuses on the complete process, not simply an

adjustment.

It can reduce the project's procedure or change how we view the

challenge.

The questions in this technique can include the following:

• How will modifying the process improve results?

• What if we had a double consumer base?
• If the market was different, what would the process look like?
• Can we change the process to work more efficiently?

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 12

SCAMPER - Put to another use
This strategy involves repurposing an existing product or
process to solve difficulties.

This strategy can be used to transfer a product to a different

market or user type.

The questions in this technique can include the following:

• What other parts of the company can use the product?

• What are the benefits of the product if used elsewhere?
• What if we target another market segmentation for the current product?
• What are other ways can we use it?
• Can we recycle the waste for another use?

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 13

SCAMPER - Eliminate

This technique identifies process steps that can be eliminated to

improve a product or service.

Unnecessary resources or steps can hinder a project's

inventiveness and creativity.

Eliminating these resources increases organizational innovation

and creativity.

The questions in this technique can include the following:

• What would happen if we removed this part?

• How can we achieve the same output without a specific part of the project?
• Do we need this specific part?
• What would we do if we had to work with half the resources?

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 14

SCAMPER - Reverse

The reverse or rearrange technique explores inventive

potential by reordering production line processes.

Reversing the process might address problems or

provide novel results.

The questions in this technique can include the

following:
• What would happen if we reverse the process?
• How can we rearrange the current status for better output?
• What if we consider it backward?
• Can we interchange elements?

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 15

 The Six Thinking Hats
Six Thinking Hats is a good group and
individual decision-making method. It
improves group thinking when used with
parallel thinking.

By wearing several mental hats, people see a

problem from different angles. This eliminates
one-sided thinking and creates new insights.

The method allows six-way thinking. By

wearing only one hat, brainstorming
participants can establish harmony.
 Six thinking hats
technique frame - Blue

Thinking: thinking about thinking.

The blue hat is about the discussion flow.

It includes the agenda and timeframe. How long are

the classes? How long should you wear a certain hat?

During the session, the group's controller should wear

a blue hat.

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 17

 Six thinking hats
technique frame - White

Information: consider only information that is available,

what are the facts?

This incorporates data from inside and beyond the debate of

brainstorming sessions and delaying assessment.

Being explicit and specific with facts helps avoid ambiguity.

The purpose is to better grasp the topic at hand, which is

easier when the evidence is neutral.

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 18

 Six thinking hats
technique frame - Green
Creativity: statements of provocation and investigation,
hearing what an idea is about.

The green hat is ideas generator.

When this hat is worn, people are free to develop as

many ideas as feasible within the scope.

New ideas inspire additional ideas. Everything is "out of

the box" in this case.

The hat's goal is to stimulate fresh ideas.

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 19

 Six thinking hats
technique frame - Yellow

Positive view: logic applied to the identification of

opportunities, looking for harmony.

The yellow hat signifies positivity.

When wearing this hat, positivism is essential. It's how

something works, not how it doesn't, that matters.

Any positives will be noted. The goal of this hat is to

grasp the benefits of diverse concepts.

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 20

 Six thinking hats
technique frame - Black
Judgment: the logic used to find flaws or
barriers, or mismatches.

Black hat represents caution. This includes

critiques as the concept's flaws are mentioned.

Maximizing the problem's scope reveals the

worst-case scenario.

The participant must play devil's advocate whilst

wearing this headgear.

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 21

 Six thinking hats
technique frame - Red
Emotions: intuitive feelings (but no justification
required).

Red hat represents emotions. It targets emotional

thinking.

Joy, happiness, appreciation, eagerness, and anticipation

are positive emotions.

Disappointment, jealousy, cynicism, and fury are

negative emotions.

Curiosity and intuition are neutral. The red hat

symbolizes the believability of a discussion's emotions.

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Strategies and programs - The following division can be made:
Initial Ideas • Blue, White, Green

Choosing between alternatives • Blue, White, Green, Yellow, Black, Red

Identification of solutions • Blue, White, Black, Green

Fast Feedback • Blue, Black, Green, White

Strategic planning • Blue, Yellow, Black, White, Green

Process improvement • Blue, White, Yellow, Black, Green, Red

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 23

Bionics
Bionics assumes that nature develops
optimized structures and processes that people
can learn from.
Bionics applies biological processes to a problem
to create innovative solutions.

Leonardo da Vinci's plan to copy bird flight is a

famous example.

Bionics requires not "copying" live systems but

using them as models.

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 Exploration of nature

Attraction of attention

Six-Step Bio- Identification of the inspiring natural solutions

Inspiration
Strategy Exploration of the identified natural solutions

Reformulation of the identified natural solution

Find design problems where the solutions can be used

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 25

HOW CREATIVE
ARE YOU?
STRETCH YOUR MIND
WITH A GROUP
 Exercise one - Min Specs

Want to develop an even more effective set of creative rules? Why not have a group
create its own framework and identify only what they need to move forward?

With Min Specs, first have a group brainstorm all the do’s and don’ts of approaching
and completing a current challenge, project, or initiative.

Next, ask your team to reduce the list to the bare minimum you need in order to
achieve your goal.

The result is a list of minimum specs you can use as a framework for moving
forward swiftly, effectively and in a way, the group has all agreed on.

Applying this can remove roadblocks, push a team forward and help inform creative
projects – all with a self-directed list you can amend and update in the future.

© Dr. Mohamed H. Zaky 2023 27

“Creativity can solve almost any
problem. The creative act, the
defeat of habit by originality,
overcomes everything.” George
Lois, 1931, Art Director and
Author