How to creatively solve problems and brainstorm

How To Creatively SolveHow To Creatively Solve
Problems And BrainstormProblems And Brainstorm
Ruth Kusemiju

Question 1Question 1
What are the similarities between

A Decision that must be made is a little more than
a problem awaiting a solution.
We might even call it a simple problem.

When faced with a decision, we rarely have to choose
between more than 3 alternatives
When solving a problem, we face an endless list of
possibilities

Isn’t a goal a point we wish to reach?Isn’t a goal a point we wish to reach?
The problem is to move from
where we are to where we
want to be

All 3 are closely related functions of CreativeAll 3 are closely related functions of Creative
ThinkingThinking
Problem-Solving
Goal
Achievement
Decision-Making

7 Step Process
1.Define the problem
2.Write down everything
3.Who to see
4.Determine who can help
5.Individual Ideation
6.Group Brainstorm
7.List out high rated ideas

11stst
Step process – Define the problemStep process – Define the problem

22ndnd
Step process – Write down EverythingStep process – Write down Everything
Everything
you know
about the
problem

33rdrd
Step process – Who to SeeStep process – Who to See
List the names of the people , organizations
that are recognized authorities on the
problem.

44thth
Step process – Who Can Help?Step process – Who Can Help?
Determine who can help from the list, contact them, pick
their brains to help solve the problem.

55thth
Step process – Individual IdeationStep process – Individual Ideation
Thinking Without
Judging
Writing it all down

1. No Negative Thinking
2. The wilder the ideas, the better
3. A large number of ideas is
essential
4. Combination and improvement
of ideas is what we are after.
4

55thth
One idea leads to a better idea.
Look for all the ideas you can possibly find… Write them
down!!!

55thth
Rate your ideas for effectiveness and facility
Very effective Probably effective Doubtful
Easy Not so easy Difficult

66thth
Step Process – Group BrainstormStep Process – Group Brainstorm
Here, you put the minds of others to work
on the problem.

66thth
Handle this just like Step 5 – Personal
Brainstorming.
Follow these same rules
1. No Negative Thinking
2. The wilder the ideas, the better
3. A large number of ideas is
essential
4. Combination and improvement
of ideas is what we are after.
4

66thth
Write down all the ideas, the group comes up
with…
No Judging.
Or else You Will be
the Cause of the
DEATH Of
BRAINSTORMING

77thth
Step Process – List only ideas with high ratingStep Process – List only ideas with high rating
Estimate the time and cost involved in implementing
these ideas.
Select the ones that are the best based on
Effectiveness
Facility
Time &
Cost
Put them in an Action Plan

77thth
Step Process – List only ideas with high ratingStep Process – List only ideas with high rating
When reviewing an idea in your action plan, you
should decide;
Where it will start?
Who Might do it?
How to do it?
When might it be done?

Give yourself a deadline for putting your plan into action.

Remember…
For every problem, no matter how big or small,
there is always a solution.
All you have to do is find it… How?
Organizing your approach
Attacking the problem with determination
Working hard and long
Applying your full brain power
Using wisely all the help you can get

Brainstorming PowerBrainstorming Power
There are 2 kinds of brainstorming
Individual Ideation
A person thinking up solutions on his own
Group Brainstorming
A number of people working together on a
problem.

The Middle Ground between Individual ideation and
Group brainstorming…
Operates on…
The Spark Plug and Brake System
One half – the Spark Plug is the THINKER UPPER
The other half - the Brake is the
TONER DOWNER, the Judge

Rodgers & Hammerstein
Marie Curie & Pierre Curie

Brainstorming PowerBrainstorming Power
Only thinker uppers
Only spark plugs
No toner downers
No brakes
No critics
No Judges
Until all ideas are in…

Individual IdeationIndividual Ideation
 Define the problem well, simply and succinctly…
A good working definition gives you a clear target
 Start your own ideation
Do this with enthusiasm, concentration & perseverance
Increase the number of ideas to increase the odds in
favour of hitting you with the best solution to a
problem…
 Strive for variety in your ideas
Your problems may likely pick up their own best
solution if you give them enough choices and enough
quantity and variety of ideas…

Group BrainstormingGroup Brainstorming
This is a technique in which a number of people hold
a meeting with a single purpose in mind to think up
together as many ideas as possible in order to solve
one well-defined problem.

Clear, written statement of the problem
Writing materials for idea jotting
Minutes of the meeting
A group leader

1. No Negative Thinking; the wilder the ideas,
the better
2. Suspend Judgment, the ideas will be judged
afterwards.
3. Want the largest quantity of ideas
4. Combination and Improvement of ideas is
what we are after.
4

•Begin the brainstorming
•Attack the problem from all sides

Conclusion…Conclusion…
Individual Ideation
Group Brainstorming
Are the 2 excellent methods of finding the
best solution to a problem…
They are based on the simple procedure of;
Thinking things up
Writing them down
Improving them
Judging them, only after all the ideas are in

How to creatively solve problems and brainstorm

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