WHAT IS CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING?

Creative Problem Solving (CPS) is a structured process for solving problems or finding opportunities. Use it when you want to go beyond conventional thinking and arrive at creative (novel and useful) solutions.

WHAT IS CREATIVITY?

Creativity is novelty that is useful. It is disruption with a purpose. It is the first stage of any innovation and change initiative: creativity is generating something novel and useful, and innovation is putting that something to work.

You can, of course, choose to solve problems in conventional ways. Indeed, most problems are solved using known solutions. Creativity is solving problems in new and better ways. Creativity is how your organization becomes truly innovative, and how it and uncovers new, different, and market-making opportunities.

IS CPS A CREATIVE WAY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS?

The word "creative" in the title refers to the results you seek: novel and useful solutions, not just tried and true and traditional ones. But is CPS itself creative? It is not new - it has been is use since the 1950s - but it remains novel when compared to other problem-solving models. CPS uses both divergent and convergent thinking at every stage of the process. Most other processes reserve the divergent thinking for the generating ideas stage, but use it nowhere else. CPS multiplies the power of divergent thinking by making it part of the entire process.

Using CPS also has an interesting side effect: it makes you re-think the way you thiink, and not just when you are solving problems

ROLES IN A CPS SESSION

1. THE CLIENT (THE SITUATION'S OWNER)

The client is the person (or group) that owns the content - the problem, situation, issue or opportunity.

The client shares background data, selects the resource group (see below), and participates as an active member of the resource group. The client also works closely with the facilitator, to guide the facilitator's process decisions.

The client is ultimately responsible for the outcome of each process phase, as it is the client who applies critical thinking to the generated options, who decides when a convergence is complete, and who selects the options to carry forward.

For CPS to be effective, the client must have ownership of the issue (that is, the right and the ability to address the problem); must be motivated to take action (otherwise the process results are wasted); and must welcome imaginitive thinking (or else CPS is the wrong process to use).

2. THE RESOURCE GROUP (THE BRAIN TRUST)

The resource group participates in a CPS session, and provides their time, ideas, energy, fresh perspectives, and personal insight.

The resource group is selected by the problem owner, and can include people who are directly involved in the issue, who are tangential to the issue, or who have no stake in the issue but who are able to contribute valuable thinking, experience, and perspectives. The problem owner also serves as a fully-participating member of the resource group.

3. THE FACILITATOR (THE PROCESS EXPERT)

The facilitator is the CPS process expert, who guides the client and the resource group through the process, based in the client's needs and desires. That is, the facilitator makes process decisions (where to enter the process, which tools to use, when to move to another stage, etc.) while in constant consultation with the client.

While the problem owner or other interested party can serve as the CPS process facilitator, we recommend that a neutral party serve as facilitator. The reason: to separate process from content.

The problem owner and the resource group should have all of their focus and energy on the content: on the problem itself and its solutions. The facilitator should have all of his or her focus on the process: on managing the use of CPS to address the content and the needs of the problem owner. The best facilitators stay completely out of the content.

NOW WHAT

Here are some choices:

• You can learn more about CPS facilitation and why it matters.
• Return to the CPS overview.

CONTACT US WHEN YOU ARE READY

When you're ready to talk to us about teaching you this process or facilitating a problem-solving session, just holler.