Chapter 7 Week 1 Creative Thinking & Problem Solving

CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TERMS AND DEFINITIONS
TERM DEFINITION
Delphi technique A complex problem-solving technique that tries to get a

group of people to agree on how to solve a complex
problem.
Force-field analysis A problem-solving method that looks at two opposing
forces that support a problem being solved or a situation
changing.
Problem solving The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex
issues.
Business problems These are current or long-term challenges and issues
faced by the business.
Creativity It is an act of turning new ideas into reality.
Competitive Means as good as or better than others of a comparable
nature.
Innovation Introducing new and original ideas or methods.
Change Make or become different.
Questionnaires It is a research instrument consisting of a series of
questions for gathering information from respondents.
PDCA process/cycle Plan-Do-Check- Act, this model is used to solve complex
business problems
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1 Meaning of creative thinking
 Creative thinking refers to thinking differently and looking at something in a new
way.
 Creative thinking is about approaching a thought/idea/problem/situation in a new
and interesting way.
 It is a process of putting facts/concepts/principles together in new and original ways.
 Businesses need to solve their problems efficiently to find creative solutions to
problems.
2 Differences between routine versus creative thinking

ROUTINE THINKING CREATIVE THINKING
 It refers to ordinary/  It refers to looking at an opportunity/
every day/conventional thinking problem in a new and different way.
 It is suitable for work that requires logic,  It is invaluable in keeping the business
consistency and attention to detail. innovative and relevant in a changing
market and to solve new problems.
 It does not lead to new ideas or pattern  It leads to an idea that is original
of thought. compared to existing ideas.
 Requires businesses to apply old  Requires businesses to apply new ways
thinking patterns to new situations. of thinking to old situations.
3 Differences between conventional versus non-conventional

solutions
CONVENTIONAL SOLUTIONS NON-CONVENTIONAL SOLUTIONS
Ordinary and unimaginative solutions Different and creative solutions
They are solutions obtained through logical, They are solutions that are obtained from
analytical problem-solving methods. creative thinking.
There is often one solution to a problem There is often more than one solution to a
problem
Chooses and looks for what is right Changes and looks for what is different
Concentrates on relevance Does not mind chance interruptions
Moves in the most likely directions Explores the least likely directions
4 Ways in which businesses can create an environment that

stimulate creative thinking
 Businesses must emphasise the importance of creative thinking to ensure that all
staff know that their ideas will be heard.
 Encourage staff to come up with new ideas/opinions/solutions.
 Encourage job swops within the organisation/studying how other businesses are
doing things.
 Encourage alternative ways of working/doing things.
 Respond enthusiastically to all ideas and never let anyone feel less important.
 Reward creativity with reward schemes for teams/individuals that come up with
creative ideas.
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 Provide a working environment conducive to creativity, free from distractions.
 Make time for brainstorming sessions to generate new ideas, e.g. regular
workshops/generate more ideas/build on one another's ideas.
 Place suggestion boxes around the workplace and keep communication channels
open for new ideas.
 Train staff in innovative techniques/creative problem-solving
skills/mind-mapping/lateral thinking.
5 Benefits/Advantages of creative thinking in the

workplace
 Complex business problems may be solved.
 Creativity may lead to new inventions which improves the general standard of living.
 Better/Unique/Unconventional ideas/solutions are generated.
 May give businesses a competitive advantage if unusual/unique solutions/
ideas/strategies are implemented.
 Managers/employees have more confidence as they can live up to their full
potential.
 Managers will be better leaders as they will be able to handle/manage change(s)
positively and creatively.
 Managers/Employees can develop a completely new outlook, which may be applied
to any task(s) they may do.
 Leads to more positive attitudes as managers/employees feel that they have
contributed towards problem solving/Improves motivation amongst staff members
 Managers/Employees have a feeling of great accomplishment and they will not
resist/obstruct once they solved a problem/contributed towards the success of the
business.
 Management/Employees can keep up with fast changing technology.
 Stimulates brain function of employees/managers, as they are continuously pushed
out of their comfort zone/improving the total well-being of employees.
6 Meaning of problem solving

 It is a clear process to follow whenever a problem needs to be solved.
 A process of finding the correct strategy to respond to a problem.
 Problem solving involves analytical and creative skills.
 Some businesses use the PDCA process/cycle to solve a problem.
 PDCA stand for Plan-Do-Check-Act.
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7 The Delphi technique and Force-Field analysis
7.1 Meaning of the Delphi Technique
 It is a technique that is used to solve new and complex problems.
 The Delphi technique is a popular method of gathering information by using a
selected expert’s panel on a specific topic.
 The group of specialists/expert’s panel never meet face to face.
 This technique uses a series of questionnaire to obtain feedback from experts.
 The questionnaires are used to bring about agreement from different views.
7.2 Ways in which businesses can apply the Delphi Technique in

the workplace
 Businesses must invite a panel of experts to research the complaints from
customers.
 Experts do not have to be in one place and will be contacted individually.
 Design a questionnaire consisting of questions on how to improve the quality
of their tiles and distribute it to the panel members/experts.
 Request the panel to individually respond to the questionnaire/suggest
improvements to the products and return it to businesses.
 Summarise the responses from the experts in a feedback report.
 Send the feedback report and a second set of questions/questionnaire based
on the feedback report to the panel members.
 Request panel members to provide further input/ideas on how to improve the
quality of their tiles after they have studied the results/documentation.
 Distribute a third questionnaire based on previous feedback from the second
round.
 Prepare a final summary/feedback report with all the methods to improve the
quality of products.
 Choose the best solution/proposal after reaching consensus.
7.3 Meaning of force field analysis

 Force filed analysis is a method of listing, discussing and analysing the various
forces for/advantages and against/disadvantages of a proposed change.
 It is often used for planning and implementing change in a business.
 The analysis involves identifying the advantages and disadvantages of a decision.
 This tool is especially useful to overcome resistance to change.
7.4 Ways in which businesses can apply the force field analysis
 Describe the current situation/problem and the desired situation.
 Identify what is going to happen if there is no action taken.
 List all driving/pros and restraining/cons forces that will support and resist change.
 Discuss the key restraining forces and determine their strengths.
 Discuss the key driving forces and determine their strengths.
 Allocate a score to each force using a numerical scale, where 1 is weak and 5 is
strong.
 Weigh up the positives and negatives then decide if the project is viable.
 Analyse the restraining forces and best way of advancing them.
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 Explore the driving forces and the best way of advancing them
 Choose the force with the highest score as the solution.
 If the project is viable, find ways to increase the forces for change.
 Identify priorities and develop an action plan.
8 Advantages of working with others to solve problems

 The problem can be solved faster and easier.
 Workload decreases if everyone does their share.
 More ideas can be generated increasing the chances of finding the best possible
solutions.
 Exposure to other people’s thinking patterns and to the way other people approach
problems.
 Enables team members to learn from others and accept their points of views.
 Greater results can be achieved.
 Team members have access to a broader bases of knowledge, skills and expertise.
 The problem is viewed from different perspectives.
 There is access to a broad base of knowledge, skills and expertise.
 Problems are analysed in greater detail which lead to better understanding of the
problem.
 Promotes creative thinking and idea generation by thinking of as many ideas as
possible to solve problems.

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CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

Delphi technique A complex problem-solving technique that tries to get a

2 Differences between routine versus creative thinking

3 Differences between conventional versus non-conventional

4 Ways in which businesses can create an environment that

5 Benefits/Advantages of creative thinking in the

6 Meaning of problem solving

7.2 Ways in which businesses can apply the Delphi Technique in

7.3 Meaning of force field analysis

8 Advantages of working with others to solve problems

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