Welcome to the Creative Problem Solving workshop. In the past few decades, psychologists and business people alike have discovered that successful problem solvers tend to use the same type of process to identify and implement the solutions to their problems. This process works for any kind of problem, large or small.

This workshop will give participants an overview of the entire creative problem solving process, as well as key problem solving tools that they can use every day.

Course Outline

INTRODUCTION
Course Objectives

MODULE 1
The Problem Solving Method
What is a Problem?
What is Creative Problem Solving?
What are the Steps in the Creative Solving Process?
Knowledge Check

MODULE 2
Information Gathering
Understanding Types of Information
Identifying Key Questions
Methods of Gathering Information
Knowledge Check

MODULE 3
Problem Definition
Defining the Problem
Determining Where the Problem Originated
Defining the Present State and the Desired State
Stating and Restating the Problem
Analyzing the Problem
Writing the Problem Statement
Knowledge Check

MODULE 4
Preparing for Brainstorming
Identifying Mental Blocks
Removing Mental Blocks
Stimulating Creativity
Knowledge Check

MODULE 5
Generating Solutions (I)
Brainstorming Basics
Brainwriting and Mind Mapping
Duncker Diagrams
Knowledge Check

MODULE 6
Generating Solutions (II)
The Morphological Matrix
The Six Thinking Hats
The Blink Method
Knowledge Check

MODULE 7
Analyzing Solutions
Developing Criteria
Analyzing Wants and Needs
Using Cost/Benefit Analysis
Knowledge Check

MODULE 8
Selecting a Solution
Doing a Final Analysis
Paired Comparison Analysis
Analyzing Potential Problems
Knowledge Check

MODULE 9
Planning Your Next Steps
Identifying Tasks
Identifying Resources
Implementing, Evaluating, and Adapting
Knowledge Check

MODULE 10
Recording Lessons Learned
Planning the Follow-Up Meeting
Celebrating Successes
Identifying Improvements
Knowledge Check

ASSESSMENT
Post-Test