Chapter 4

Solving Problems Analytically

and Creatively
 Learning Objectives

 Gain experience with creative problem

solving approaches

 Understand the value of encouraging groups

to use a variety of problem solving
approaches

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 Analytical vs.
Creative Problem Solving
 Analytical Problem Solving is the kind that
managers use daily

 Creative Problem Solving is used less often

but leads to greater success

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 Information Processing Styles

Intuitive Thinkers Systematic Thinkers

See the “forest” See the “tree”
Rely on “hunches” Are “detail” people
See the big picture Prefer careful analysis
Prefer non-routine environments Are methodical

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Example of Poor Problem Solving
(click to view clip)

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 Choosing A Problem Area

Goal: To apply problem solving

methods to real problems
Domain: Any growth area you
identified for your skills
development paper
Class List Of Possibilities:
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 Sort Yourselves Into Groups
Requirements:

1. Groups may have any number of

people between 3 and 6, inclusive
2. Everyone must join a group
3. Sit together around one table
4. Appoint a record keeper for the next
activity
5.You have 3 minutes to get into groups
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How Did You Do it?

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 Overview
Analytical Problem Solving

Step 1: Define the Problem

Step 2: Generate Alternative Solutions
Step 3: Evaluate and Select an Alternative
Step 4: Implement and Follow Up on the Solution

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 Analytical Problem Solving

 Step 1: Define the Problem

 Differentiate fact from opinion
 Specify underlying causes
 State the problem explicitly
 Identify what standard is violated
 Determine whose problem it is
 Avoid solutions disguised as problems

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 Analytical Problem Solving

 Step 2: Generate Alternative Solutions

 Match solutions to goals
 Get solutions from everyone involved
 Build on others’ ideas
 Specify short- and long-term solutions
 Postpone evaluating alternatives
 Specify alternatives that solve the problem

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 Analytical Problem Solving

 Step 3: Evaluate and Select an

Alternative
 Evaluate relative to the best standard
 Evaluate systematically
 Evaluate relative to goals
 Evaluate main effects and side effects
 State the selected alternative explicitly

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 Analytical Problem Solving

 Step 4: Implement and Follow Up on the

Solution
 Implement at proper time in right sequence
 Provide feedback opportunities
 Engender acceptance
 Establish ongoing monitoring system
 Evaluate based on problem solution

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 Limitations of the Analytical
Problem-Solving Model
 Individual differences in cognitive styles
 Self-interest
 Money
 Politics, conflict
 Need to “break set”...

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 Creative Problem Solving
Welcome to the Brain Gym

 Stand up
 Find a partner
 With backs to each other, change 5 things
about your appearance
 Face each other – guess what is different?

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Creative Problem Solving
(click to view clip)

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 Creative Problem Solving

 Focused on generating something new

 Can enhance the profitability and efficiency of
organizations
 Products produced from creative problem solving
include:
 NASA’s Velcro Snaps
 GE’s self diagnostic dishwasher
 Mead’s carbonless copy paper
 Kodak’s Trimprint film

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Use Creative Problem Solving When...

 No acceptable alternative seems to be

available
 All reasonable solutions
seem to be blocked
 No obvious best
answer is accessible

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 Creativity Defined

 Involves the use of intuition, ingenuity,

insight
 Rather than narrowing down to “one best
decision,” opening to create new
possibilities, many alternatives
 Outgrowth of training and experience

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 Stages in
Conceptual Blockbusting
• Preparation

• Incubation

• Illumination

• Verification

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 Preparation

 Define Problems  Gather Information

 Make the strange  Defer judgment
familiar  Expand current
 Elaborate on the alternatives
Definition  Combine unrelated
 Reverse the attributes
Definition

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 Incubation

 This stage involves mostly unconscious

mental activity in which the mind combines
unrelated thoughts in pursuit of a solution

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 Illumination

 This occurs when a creative solution is

articulated

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 Verification

 This involves evaluating the creative solution

relative to some standard of acceptability

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 SYNECTICS

1. Pick one of your problem definitions

2. List several possible analogies or metaphors
3. Explore what those metaphors mean
4. Impose the same analysis on the original definition
 What does it remind you of?
 What does it make you feel like?
 What is it similar to?
 What isn’t it similar to?
 10 minutes – record all ideas

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 Creative Problem Solving:

Generating Alternative Solutions

 Fluency: The number of ideas or concepts
produced in a given amount of time.

 Flexibility: diversity of ideas or concepts

produced in a given amount of time.

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 Creativity Tips

 Give yourself relaxation time

 Find a place where you can think
 Talk to other people about ideas
 Ask other people for their suggestions about
your problems
 Read a lot
 Protect yourself from idea-killers

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Model of Analytical and Creative
Problem Solving

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To Foster Creativity...

 Unlocking others
creative potential can
be a challenge
 Will help you become
more successful

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 To Foster Creativity...
Principle Examples
Let individuals work alone as well as with teams and task forces
Pull people apart;
Encourage minority reports and legitimize ‘devil advocate’s’ role
put people Encourage heterogeneous membership in teams
together Separate competing groups or subgroups
Talk to customers
Monitor and Prod
Identify customer expectations both in advance and after the sale
Hold people accountable
Use ‘sharp-pointed’ prods
Idea champion
Reward multiple
Sponsor and mentor
roles Orchestrator and facilitator
Rule breaker

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 Conceptual Blocks
Inhibit Creativity
 Commitment
 Stereotyping based on past
experience – “
four volumes of Shakespeare
” question
 Ignoring commonalities –
what are common terms that ?
apply to both water and =
finance?
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