Creative Problem Solving

innovationproduct developmententrepreneurshipdesignprocess improvement

What Is Creative Problem Solving?

Generate and test non-obvious ways to address a problem while keeping the solution connected to the actual constraint or desired outcome.

Why Does Creative Problem Solving Matter?

It matters when familiar solutions are no longer sufficient. Creative Problem Solving expands the range of options before practical constraints are used to select a workable answer.

What Does It Look Like?

Someone applying creative problem solving may:

  • reframes a problem before generating solutions
  • produces multiple possible approaches instead of defending the first idea
  • combines ideas from different contexts
  • tests an unusual option on a small scale before dismissing it

How to Develop Creative Problem Solving

You can develop it by:

  • generate ten possible responses to one problem before evaluating any
  • borrow a solution pattern from another industry and adapt it
  • prototype the cheapest version of an unconventional idea and record what it teaches

Where Can Creative Problem Solving Be Useful?

Creative Problem Solving can be useful in areas such as:

innovationproduct developmententrepreneurshipdesignprocess improvement

Careers Where This Skill Can Be Useful

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