CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING

1. CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING Prof. Vidyanand Jha IIM Calcutta December 7, 2000

2. PROBLEM SOLVING • Problem - a discrepancy • current state-desired state • Decisions- Choices • Two or more alternatives • Decision Making • process of choice making

3. General model of problem solving • Identify problem • Define Objective • Make a predecision • Generate alternatives • Evaluate alternatives • Make a choice • Implement choice • Follow up

4. Types of Decisions • Programmed • Simple, routine; preestablished routines and procedures; lower level workers (usually alone) • Non programmed • Complex, creative; no prescriptions available, upper level supervisors (usually in groups) • Strategic • high level, non programmed, directions for organization

5. Types of Decisions • Certain vs. uncertain • knowledge of decision outcomes • probability of decision outcomes • information available • Uncertainty Reduction

6. Types of Decisions • top down vs. empowered • decentralisation • premises • computers

7. Individual differences in decision making • Directive • prefer simple, clear solutions • make decisions rapidly • don’t consider many alternatives • rely on existing rules

8. Individual differences in decision making • Analytical • prefer complex problems • carefully analyse alternatives • enjoy solving problems • willing to use innovative methods

9. Individual differences in decision making • Conceptual • socially oriented • humanistic and artistic approach • solve problems creatively • enjoy new ideas

10. Individual differences in decision making • Behavioural • concern for their organizations • interest in helping others • open to suggestions • rely on meetings

11. Moving away from the rational • bounded rationality • intuition • selective perception • halo effect • contrast effect • projection • stereotyping • self fulfilling profecy

12. Moving away from the rational • obvious candidate • garbage can model • self interests • enactment • training

13. CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING • Using divergent as well as convergent modes of thinking

14. Creative Problem Solving • Problem • goal not achieved • unwanted symptoms • Mechanisms • habit • logical analysis • using analogies

15. Creative Problem Solving • Mechanisms • generating alternatives • evaluating alternatives • looking for information • Creative • Use of fantasy and imagination • Playful connections • Viewing problem from unusual perspective • Brainstorming

16. Creative Problem Solving • Process • preparation • incubation • illumination • verification

17. Divergent Thinking • Variety of responses • Trial and Error Thinking • Product not completely determined by given information

18. Creative Thinking • Divergent as well as convergent • Grasping the problem • After divergent • categorization, logical thinking, evaluation, comparison, analysis • Cycles of imaginative and rational

19. A model of creative Intelligence • Problem sensitivity, curiosity • Sensing of problems, issues, opportunities • Convergent thinking ability, cause guessing ability • Structuring of problems • Problem restructuring ability

20. A model of creative Intelligence • A new understanding of problem that facilitates interesting new approaches. • Divergent thinking, search for alternative approaches, solutions • Fluency • Flexibility • Originality

21. A model of creative Intelligence • Evaluation through convergent thinking • consequence guessing ability • elaboration ( idea, approach, solution) • Refinement through convergent thinking ability

22. Fluency • Generating more ideas • Resourcefulness • More ideas- some good ideas • associative thinking • Censorship- silly/impractical • Generate, then evaluate • Fluency- flexibility, originality • Practice situations in daily life

23. Flexibility • A change • meaning, interpretation, use, understanding, strategy • Looking from many angles • implications of multi-dimensional situations

24. Problem restructuring • Hawthorne Experiment • Contingency • naturopathy • Discarding old ways of looking • Creative use of deviance • internal debate

25. Problem restructuring • data • going to roots- slums • A habit of looking for opportunities in problem situations • Shoes, garbage

26. Creative Thinking Techniques • Ideate copiously • Create constructive psychological strain- familiar to unfamiliar and back. • Force wide shifts • Identify most potent idea

27. Creative Thinking Techniques • Brainstorming • Attribute Listing • Synectics • Checklist of questions • Structure problem- well understood, identify key dimensions • Separate idea production from evaluation

28. Creative Environment • Stimulation • Nurturance • Low- tension • Constructive Feedback • Opportunity to learn • Diversity of viewpoints • Freedom with accountability

29. Creative Environment • Creators as role models • Facilities • creative norms and expectations of boss figure

30. Brainstorming • Defer Evaluation • Quantity begets quality • more fantastic ideas • Hitch hike on previous ideas

31. Brainstorming • Both groups as well as individuals • Better ideas in second half • for problems with multiple solutions • concrete suggestions • Specific topic • Choosing ideas and developing them

32. Attribute Listing • For designing/redesign specific product/service • Building up, grafting , modifying • List basic but modifiable attributes/properties/specifications • Generate alternatives • Grafting attributes of some other object

33. Attribute Listing • Abstract/generic attributes • container, handling convenience, current function • More specific the better • separate modifiable from unmodifiable • List all attributes

34. Attribute Listing • What may be altered without changing the main function • State as more general/abstract attributes • What functions the attributes perform • How critical are they to main function • prioritizing attributes

35. Checklist of questions • Questions- Divergent thinking • ASARAMOMONA • add • subtract • alter • rearrange • adapt

36. Checklist of questions • magnify • opposite • minify • other • new • alternative • Dissatisfaction with status quo