Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define the systematic process of Creative Problem Solving (CPS) from problem definition to implementation.
• Apply multiple divergent thinking techniques to generate a high volume of novel ideas.
• Rigorously define and reframe a challenge using problem-finding and problem-structuring tools.
• Utilise structured ideation techniques (e.g., SCAMPER, Brainwriting) to overcome creative blocks.
• Employ convergent thinking tools to select, refine, and prioritize the most promising ideas.
• Design and facilitate high-energy, high-output brainstorming and ideation sessions.
• Apply prototyping and rapid experimentation principles to test and validate creative solutions.
• Cultivate an individual and team mindset that embraces ambiguity and creative risk-taking.

Target Audience

• Innovation Managers, R&D Professionals, and New Product Development Teams.
• Leaders and Managers responsible for strategic planning and overcoming persistent business challenges.
• Marketing and Design Professionals requiring a constant flow of new campaign ideas.
• Anyone involved in process improvement, change management, or system design.
• Teams struggling with groupthink or generating the same solutions repeatedly.

• Hands-on group ideation sessions using SCAMPER, Brainwriting, and Random Word Association.
• Case studies of breakthrough corporate innovations and their creative process.
• Individual and group exercises on problem re-framing and analysis.
• Rapid, low-fidelity prototyping and testing simulations.
• Facilitated discussions on overcoming creative blocks and managing group dynamics.

Unit 1: The Creative Problem Solving Process

• Introduction to the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model (Clarify, Ideate, Develop, Implement).
• The importance of alternating between divergent (expansion) and convergent (selection) thinking.
• Identifying the most common barriers to creativity in the professional environment.
• Developing a personal "Creative Confidence" mindset.

• Techniques for moving from a vague symptom to a clear, actionable problem statement.
• "Why/What If" questioning to explore the problem space and underlying needs.
• Applying the "Re-framing Matrix" to view the challenge from multiple perspectives.
• Identifying necessary constraints and criteria for a successful solution.

Unit 2: Generating Novel Ideas (Divergent Thinking)

• Mastering the rules of effective classic brainstorming and its common pitfalls.
• Structured "Brainwriting" methods (e.g., 6-3-5) for leveraging introverted and asynchronous input.
• Introduction to Random Word Association and Forced Connections techniques.
• Strategies for generating "wild ideas" and suspending judgment during the divergent phase.

• Applying the SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse) technique.
• Techniques for drawing analogies and looking outside the industry for inspiration.
• Mind Mapping and visual ideation tools for non-linear thinking.
• Using 'Provocations' and 'Exaggeration' to intentionally break assumptions.

Unit 3: Selecting and Refining Solutions (Convergent Thinking)

• Establishing objective criteria for evaluating novelty, feasibility, and impact.
• Using simple matrices (e.g., Idea Rating Sheets, Dot Voting) for initial selection.
• The "Idea Fan": Strategies for refining and improving a promising concept.
• Techniques for using "constructive criticism" to strengthen, not kill, an idea.

• Introduction to the principles of rapid, low-fidelity prototyping.
• Designing simple, testable experiments to validate key assumptions.
• Learning from failure: Integrating results from experiments back into the ideation cycle.
• The minimum viable product (MVP) approach to solution development.

Unit 4: Facilitating Creative Teams

• Designing a creative environment (physical or virtual) that fosters psychological safety.
• Techniques for setting clear ground rules and managing difficult group dynamics.
• Strategies for keeping a team energised, focused, and free from groupthink.
• The role of the facilitator in ensuring balanced participation and idea ownership.

• Strategies for encouraging curiosity, playfulness, and intellectual risk-taking.
• The importance of celebrating effort, experimentation, and "smart failures."
• Techniques for managing the transition from the creative phase to the implementation phase.
• Building a diverse team composition to enhance idea generation.

Unit 5: Personal Problem-Solving Action Plan

• Teams apply the full CPS process to a live, complex organisational challenge.
• Presentation and peer critique of generated ideas and selected solution prototypes.
• Individual development of a personalised "Creative Problem-Solving Toolkit."
• Commitment setting for facilitating one structured ideation session in the next month.