Project on

Creativity for Team Excellence

Under the guidance of

Ms Somrita Saha
Topic : "Creative thinking and Decision making"

BY:
Smriti Chauhan (A914138122011)
Shreejoyee Nath (A914138122017)
Rishav Nandy (A914138122013)
Zainab Naaz (A914138122015)
Gitanjali Odeka (A914138122006)
Rohit Agarwa l(A914138122009)
Dept.: B.Sc. (Hons) - Data Science
Sem: 4
School: Amity Institute of Information Technology.
Kolkata
What is Creative Thinking?
Creative thinking is the ability to come up
with unique, original solutions. Also known
as creative problem solving, creative
thinking is a valuable and marketable soft
skill in a wide variety of careers.

Types of Critical Thinking:

1. Divergent Thinking:
 Brainstorming Techniques: Encourages the generation of a multitude of ideas
without immediate evaluation. Techniques include free association, brain-writing,
or role-storming.
 Mind Mapping: A visual representation of ideas, concepts, and their relationships,
helping to organize and explore thoughts in a nonlinear way.
 Lateral Thinking: Coined by Edward de Bono, this approach involves solving
problems through an indirect and creative approach, often by considering multiple
perspectives.
2. Convergent Thinking:
 Idea Selection and Refinement: Once a pool of ideas is generated, this process
involves evaluating and refining ideas to converge towards a practical solution.
 Creativity Techniques (SCAMPER): A mnemonic that stands for Substitute,
Combine, Adapt, Modify, put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse. It provides a
structured way to stimulate creative thinking.
3. Creativity in Problem Solving:
 Applying Creativity to Find Solutions: Leveraging creative thinking to address
challenges and find innovative solutions.
 Overcoming Creative Blocks: Strategies to overcome mental obstacles that hinder
creative thinking, such as fear of failure or cognitive rigidity.
4. Creative Environments:
 Fostering a Creative Workplace: Strategies for creating a work environment that
encourages and nurtures creativity, including open communication, flexible
workspaces, and a culture that values diverse perspectives.
 Importance of Diversity in Creative Teams: Exploring how a diverse team, in terms
of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, can enhance creativity and problem-
solving.
5. Cultivating Creativity:
 Habits and Practices: Establishing routines and habits that support and enhance
creative thinking, such as regular reflection, curiosity, and seeking inspiration.
  Balancing Routine and Spontaneity: Understanding the role of structure and
flexibility in fostering a creative mindset.

How to Develop Critical Thinking?

According to Sternberg's theory of intelligence, schools should promote creativity so that
students develop it from an early age. Like most skills, creativity and creative thinking can be
developed by anyone with practice and internal motivation. To solve problems, you can
accept challenges, think from all angles, take your coworkers' opinions into account, and
gather information from unusual sources. You can look for methodical approaches to
developing this trait online as well.
For instance, if you Google "creative thinking," you'll find a variety of theories and models,
including the 4stage model and the 4Ps model (Process, Product, Person, and Place)
(preparation, Incubation, Illumination, and verification). Here are some examples of the
phases in Graham Wallace's four stage model for cultivating creative thinking:
1. Preparation
Concentrate on the issue at hand and collect as much data as you can. It will be simpler to
consider various angles of the problem the more you understand about it.
2. Incubation
At this point, you must put the task out of your mind and focus on something else. This phase
might seem ineffective or time consuming. Nevertheless, it is imperative that you take a
break, as it allows your conscious mind to unwind while your subconscious mind tackles the
issue.
3. Illumination
The greatest ideas can come to you out of nowhere when you give your unconscious mind
time to heal. A few hours to several days may pass during this process. It's crucial to exercise
patience. This is similar to the feeling you get when you dream of something inspiring and
remember it the moment you wake up.
4. Verification
Once an idea develops to you, you can test it and see if it is effective. If the solution is not
appropriate, you can go back to step 1 and continue the process until you identify the best
option, making sure it is appropriate, practicable, and effective.

Why is creative thinking important?

Particularly at work, it's simple to fall into the same thought patterns. But those kinds of
thinking might be impeding your creativity and holding you back from pursuing worthwhile
endeavours.
Any problem can have a number of solutions, as demonstrated by creative thinking, and
improving your creative thinking abilities will speed up your ability to spot novel solutions.
Furthermore, developing your creative abilities can help you stand out at work as creativity
was identified as the most in demand soft skill in 2020.
In addition to critical thinking and concentration, creative thinking is essential for identifying
patterns that might not be immediately apparent. Being able to solve problems creatively has
many advantages in both your personal and professional life.
We can challenge our own presumptions, learn new things about ourselves and our
perspective, maintain mental acuity, and even become more optimistic when we engage in
expressive, creative thinking.

How creative thinking works?

Since 53% of businesses claim that
innovation happens by accident, many
business leaders view creativity and
innovation as unpredictable. On the
other hand, you can always access
creative thinking if you have the
appropriate resource.
You can stimulate your creativity in a
variety of ways, and you can increase
the frequency and ease with which you
think creatively by engaging in
creative thinking exercises.
To think creatively, we must first awaken our curiosity. In different industries, developing a
curious mind about an issue takes different forms.
The advertising executive who uses divergent thinking to brainstorm and develop creative
campaigns is a prime example of creative thinking. That is by no means the only application
of creative thinking, though.
Professionals in STEM fields, such as biomedicine, can find creative solutions to health
issues by posing open-ended questions and developing made-up scenarios.
These inquiries inspire medical experts to try new things and find fresh approaches to
enduring issues.
Professionals in any field can find original solutions to urgent issues by using creative thinking.

Advantages of Creative Thinking:

1. Innovation and Problem Solving: Creative thinking fosters innovative solutions to
problems, enabling individuals and organizations to find unique and effective ways to address
challenges.
2. Adaptability: Creative thinkers tend to be more adaptable and open to change, allowing
them to navigate and thrive in dynamic and uncertain environments
3. Enhanced Decision Making: Creative thinking contributes to more well-rounded
Decision making by considering a broader range of perspectives and potential outcomes.
4. Improved Communication: Creativity can enhance communication skills, enabling
individuals to express ideas in novel and compelling ways that resonate with others.
5. Increased Productivity: Creative problem solving can lead to more efficient processes
and improved productivity as individuals find innovative ways to streamline tasks and
workflows.

Disadvantages of Creative Thinking:

1. Risk of Implementation: Not all creative ideas are practical or feasible. The
implementation of highly creative solutions may involve risks and uncertainties that can lead
to failure.
2. Resistance to Structure: Creative thinkers may resist structured and routine tasks,
potentially causing challenges in environments that require adherence to established
processes.
3. Potential for Distraction: Excessive creative thinking without focus may lead to
distraction, making it challenging to prioritize and complete tasks effectively.
4. Subjectivity and Bias: Creative ideas can be subjective, and personal biases may
influence the evaluation of creative solutions, potentially leading to suboptimal Decision
making.
5. Fear of Failure: The fear of failure or criticism can hinder creative thinking, as
individuals may be reluctant to take risks or propose unconventional ideas.

What is Decision Making?

Decision making is the pro solutions and
choices by recognizing the problem,
gathering information about feasible
solutions, and finalizing the best alternative.

1. Decision Making Models:

 Rational Decision-making Model:
A systematic, step-by-step process
involving identifying the problem, gathering
information, evaluating alternatives, making
a decision, and implementing it.
 Bounded Rationality Model:
Recognizes the limitations of decisionmakers, acknowledging that they often make
decisions based on heuristics and incomplete information.
  Intuitive Decision making Model:
Relies on instinct and gut feelings, often based on expertise and experience.

2. Factors Influencing Decision Making:

 Cognitive Biases:
Examining common biases such as confirmation bias, anchoring bias, and
overconfidence that can affect decision making.
 Emotional Influences:
Understanding how emotions can impact decisions and exploring techniques for
managing emotions during the decision making process.
 Cultural and Social Factors:
Considering how cultural norms, social expectations, and group dynamics influence
decision making.

3. Group Decision Making:

 Consensus Building: Techniques for reaching a shared agreement within a group,
considering various opinions and perspectives.
 Group Dynamics in Decision making: Understanding how group interactions,
roles, and communication patterns influence the decision-making process.
 Decision Making in Teams: Strategies for effective collaboration and decision
making within team settings.

4. Ethical Decision Making:

 Balancing Ethics and Efficiency: Examining the ethical considerations involved
in Decision making and finding a balance between ethical principles and practical
efficiency.
 Ethical Considerations in Business Decisions: Addressing ethical dilemmas in
the business context, such as corporate social responsibility, fair business practices,
and transparency.

5. Decision making Tools:

 Decision Trees: A visual representation of decision options and their potential
outcomes, helping in assessing the best course of action.
 Cost Benefit Analysis: Evaluating the potential benefits and costs of different
decision options to make informed choices.
 SWOT Analysis: Examining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to
assess a situation comprehensively before making a decision.

6. Decision making Under Uncertainty:

 Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with
decision options.
  Scenario Planning: Creating alternative future scenarios to anticipate potential
developments and make decisions that are robust under different conditions.
 Adaptive Decision making: Being flexible and adjusting decisions based on
changing circumstances and new information.

7. Learning from Decision Outcomes:

 Feedback Loops in Decision making: Establishing mechanisms for feedback and
continuous evaluation of decisions to learn and improve.
 Continuous Improvement in Decision Processes: Emphasizing the importance of
ongoing learning and refinement in Decision making approaches.

Why is Decision Making important?

Decision making is a crucial and integral aspect of both personal and professional life. Here
are several reasons why decision making is important:

1. Achieving Goals: Decision making helps in setting and achieving goals. Choices made
align with desired outcomes, guiding actions toward the accomplishment of specific
objectives.
2. Problem Solving: Decision making is a key component of problem solving. It involves
evaluating different options and choosing the most appropriate course of action to address
challenges and overcome obstacles.
3. Resource Allocation: Effective decision making ensures the efficient allocation of
resources, including time, money, and manpower. It helps in optimizing the use of available
resources for maximum impact.
4. Risk Management: Decision making involves assessing risks and benefits. By carefully
considering potential outcomes and consequences, individuals and organizations can make
informed choices that manage and mitigate risks.
5. Innovation and Adaptability: Decision making fosters innovation by encouraging
individuals to think creatively and explore new possibilities. It also facilitates adaptability,
allowing for adjustments in response to changing circumstances.
6. Leadership and Accountability: Leaders are often defined by their decision-making
abilities. Making decisions confidently and responsibly contributes to effective leadership and
establishes accountability for the outcomes.
7. Progress and Growth: Decisions drive progress and growth. Whether in personal
development, business strategies, or societal advancements, decisions shape the trajectory
and contribute to positive evolution.
8. Effective Communication: Decision making involves communication and collaboration.
Sharing decisions with relevant stakeholders fosters transparency and helps in building
consensus and trust within teams or communities.
9. Time Management: Timely decision making is essential for efficient time management.
Procrastination or indecision can lead to delays and missed opportunities.
10. Personal Development: Decision making is a skill that evolves with experience.
Learning from both successful and unsuccessful decisions contributes to personal growth and
development.

Advantages of Decision Making:

1. Efficiency and Effectiveness: Decision making processes provide a structured approach to
problem solving, leading to more efficient and effective outcomes.
2. Risk Management: Decision making frameworks, such as risk assessment and cost
benefit analysis, help in managing and mitigating potential risks associated with different
choices.
3. Clarity and Accountability: Decision making brings clarity by establishing clear choices,
responsibilities, and accountability, facilitating smoother execution of plans.
4. Consistency: Decision making processes contribute to consistency in organizational
actions, ensuring that choices align with established goals and values.
5. Learning Opportunities: Decision outcomes, whether successful or not, provide valuable
learning opportunities, fostering continuous improvement and growth.

Disadvantages of Decision Making:

1. Decision Fatigue: The constant need to make decisions can lead to decision fatigue,
resulting in poorer quality choices, especially when facing a high volume of decisions over a
short period.
2. Overlooking Creativity: Overly structured Decision making processes may stifle
creativity, limiting the exploration of innovative solutions to problems.
3. Rigidity: Rigid Decision-making frameworks may lead to inflexibility, making it
challenging to adapt to changing circumstances or capitalize on emerging opportunities.
4. Unintended Consequences: Decisions, even well-thought-out ones, may have unintended
consequences that become apparent only after implementation.
5. Groupthink: Group Decision making can sometimes lead to conformity and groupthink,
where dissenting opinions are suppressed, potentially resulting in suboptimal choices.

Summary:
Decision making and creative thinking are highly effective when combined, creating a
synergistic approach to problem-solving and innovation. Creative thinking generates diverse
and inventive ideas, while decision making provides a structured framework to evaluate,
prioritize, and implement these ideas. The imaginative solutions born from creative thinking
add depth and innovation to decision-making processes, leading to more robust, adaptable,
and successful outcomes. Integrating both processes fosters a dynamic and balanced approach
that harnesses the strengths of creative ideation and the practicality of strategic decision
making, resulting in well-informed and inventive solutions to complex challenges.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the project on "creative thinking and decision making" highlights the integral
role of innovative thinking in effective decision-making processes. Through exploring
various creative techniques and problem-solving methods, it becomes evident that fostering a
culture of creativity can lead to more dynamic and successful outcomes. By embracing
diverse perspectives, encouraging experimentation, and valuing intuition alongside analytical
reasoning, individuals and organizations can navigate complex challenges with greater agility
and resilience. Ultimately, integrating creative thinking into decision-making processes
empowers individuals to generate innovative solutions and adapt to an ever-changing
environment.
 Acknowledgement

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to
the completion of this project on "creative thinking and decision making."
Special thanks to those, whose insights, expertise, and support were invaluable
throughout the journey. Additionally, we extend our appreciation to Mrs.
Somrita Saha for her assistance and contributions. This project would not have
been possible without their dedication and collaboration.