Cebu Institute of Technology – University

College of Engineering and Architecture

Department of Industrial Engineering

COURSEWARE
SSP031
CREATIVE THINKING TOOLS, TRENDS & TECHNIQUES

Prepared by:

Engr. Anna Marie A. Granaderos

Instructor – SSP031

006
 About the Course
Course Number SSP031
Descriptive Title CREATIVE THINKING TOOLS, TRENDS & TECHNIQUES
Number of Units 3 units lecture
Number of Hours 54 lecture hours
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisite None
Course Description This course introduces tools, trends and techniques in creative thinking towards
critically analyzing independently sourced complex information and ideas, and
generating solutions taking into account a range of perspectives. The students
are expected to reflect on their thought process and present their findings
considering reasons to support and rationally oppose their own viewpoints using
logical and abstract thinking to evaluate the effectiveness of ideas, products and
performances to achieve desired outcomes.

Course Learning Outcomes:

CLO 1. Discuss the creative thinking tools, its methodology, & application areas
CLO 2. Discuss the different trends and techniques, its application and process
CLO 3. Formulate and solve different quantitative creative thinking tools
CLO 4. Apply appropriate these creative thinking tools/ techniques in design

TOPICS FOR WEEK 6 OUTCOME EXPECTED

Topic 9: Design on Problem Definition Tool
LO1: Recite the steps in identifying a problem using the Problem
Exit Ticket Report #7 =
Definition Tool.
10%
LO2: State which key critical issue is each group’s priority based on
their given topic.
Topic 10: Design on People Shadowing
LO1: Explain the importance of People Shadowing in conducting a
project/research.
Exit Ticket Report #8 =
LO2: Relate from the subject under study by learning and observing
10%
their everyday lives.
LO3: Formulate the contextual details that can influence a person’s
behavior or motivation
Topic 11: Design on Question Ladder
LO1: Describe when a question ladder is a useful and appropriate tool.
LO2: Understand the layout of the Question Ladder Template and how
Exit Ticket Report #9 =
it works.
10%
LO3: Select the most relevant questions to challenge the core issues of
a problem or opportunity.
LO4: Explain the strengths and weaknesses of a question ladder.
Topic 12: Design on Target Group
LO1: Explain the definition and significance of using Target Group in
designing a research/project.
LO2: Relate the steps learned in how to choose and identify the Target Exit Ticket Report #10 =
Group as well as their needs and wants in research/project that will be 10%
focusing.
LO3: Formulate interrelated ideas to gain better insights that will cater
people’s needs and wants using Target Group.
Topic 13: Design on Personas
LO1: Explain the importance of Personas in conducting a
project/research Exit Ticket Report #11 =
LO2: Apply personas and identify the intended audience 10%
LO3: Formulate contextual details in creating a fictional character as
reference point
 Table of Contents
About the Course ................................................................................................................................ 2
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................ 3
Topic 9: Design on Problem Definition Tool ......................................................................................... 5
9.1. What is Problem Definition Tool and why should I do it? ........................................................... 5
9.2 How do I use Problem Definition Tool? ...................................................................................... 5
Topic 10: Design on People Shadowing .............................................................................................. 6
10.1. What is People Shadowing and why should I do it? ................................................................ 6
10.2 How do I use People Shadowing?............................................................................................ 6
Topic 11: Design on Question Ladder ................................................................................................. 8
11.1. What is Question Ladder and why should I do it? .................................................................... 8
11.2 How do I use Question Ladder? ............................................................................................... 8
Topic 12: Design on Target Group ....................................................................................................... 9
12.1. What is Target Group and why should I do it? ......................................................................... 9
12.2 How do I use Target Group? .................................................................................................... 9
Topic 13: Design on Personas ........................................................................................................... 11
13.1. What is Personas and why should I do it? ............................................................................. 11
13.2 How do I use Personas? ........................................................................................................ 11
Sources and References: .................................................................................................................. 12
“The desire to create is one of
the deepest yearnings of the
human soul.”
Dieter F. Uchtdorf
 Here’s week six.

Topic 9: Design on Problem Definition Tool

I want to clarify my priorities by focusing on key
critical issues.
9.1. What is Problem Definition Tool and why should I do it?

Defining a problem is a deceptively simple task – what at first seems to be the problem is often merely
a symptom of a deeper problem. The Problem Definition tool works to both open a problem up –
presenting it in a way that can be examined from a number of angles – as well as helping to define the
wider context and associated issues involved.

This is particularly effective when trying to focus a team of people on the key problems at hand.
This tool has been designed to structure the analysis of a particular problem in a way that makes good
use of your time. It introduces a small set of key criteria by which an issue can be articulated and
assessed, which makes the activity highly efficient. It also gives you a standardized way to compare
several different problems which might seem to be very different on the surface.

9.2 How do I use Problem Definition Tool?

Go through the Problem Definition worksheet individually or in small teams and reflect on a specific
issue you have identified, exchanging thoughts while writing down your notes. The key aim here is to
capture, compare and discuss different viewpoints on the problem. You can then review the notes and
discuss with your team members whether you are making the same assumptions, and whether you are
framing things in the same way.

This exercise may lead you to ‘reframe’ the problem you initially addressed – for example, what
happens if you see older people as having capacities, rather than needs? Reframing problems in
such a way can offer clues to how the solution can take shape.

Working on a Problem Definition worksheet with not only your team members, but together with other
stakeholders will usually bring up new contexts. For instance, working with service users, staff or
volunteers may provide a slightly different angle to the tool than when working with managers or
entrepreneurs. Feel free to experiment and rephrase questions in the worksheet to keep them relevant
in such situations.

(Please do not mind the exit ticket report #s because I have interchanged some lessons according to
appropriate order.)

Here are supplementary videos regarding how to do this tool simply. Again, viewing is optional.

Problem Definition Tool | DIY Toolkit

Check the worksheet template Problem Definition Tool | Cheradee Series
here.
 Topic 10: Design on People Shadowing
I want to collect inputs from others by observing
and learning from everyday life.
10.1. What is People Shadowing and why should I do it?

People Shadowing as the name suggests, means becoming someone’s shadow for a while. Following
someone, or a group of people, as they live their everyday life, or go about their daily work helps to
understand the environment they are part of. It also allows you to observe for yourself the contextual
details that can influence a person’s behavior and motivations.

Often doing some Shadowing at the start of a project helps to familiarize yourself with a certain practice
or group of people. People’s everyday life can be so habitual that some issues may not be as apparent
to them – sometimes observing them can reveal hidden aspects that might be the core issue or even
possible solution. These observations can act not only as inspiration but also a guide to help reach the
core of how your work impacts people whose lives you want to make a difference to.
10.2 How do I use People Shadowing?

Shadowing involves making many choices: not just who to follow, but also when and how to be actively
involved when you get there. You also need to think about the kind of things you’re looking out for, and
the ways in which you might want to record what you find.

The key is preparation: balancing the need to structure what you find while staying open to the unexpected.

This tool includes a quick checklist and a format to note down these findings. This worksheet indicates
some of the things you might want to record when shadowing. Don’t be afraid to experiment – whether
you’re silently observing or actively involved will very much depend on each situation you’re in. Fill out
the worksheet for each person you follow. Ask your team to fill out a similar sheet for each person they
follow. This is a structured way to compare your observations across the various ‘participants’ you and
your team shadowed.

The observations you find relevant depend on the focus of your project. These could be about the
people they meet, places they go to, or how they organize their life. Feel free to customize the boxes
on the worksheet – the ones here are like examples to trigger some ideas.

It might be a good idea to ask a person’s permission in case you want to follow them closely, though it
is also possible to just observe your participant from a distance. This may depend on what is socially
accepted within the specific situation or culture. Please do respect the person’s space and make sure
they are comfortable. You don’t want to break the natural flow of how they go about their everyday life.

(Please do not mind the exit ticket report #s because I have interchanged some lessons according to appropriate order.)

Here are supplementary videos regarding how to do this tool simply. Again, viewing is optional.

People Shadowing | DIY Toolkit

Check the worksheet template People Shadowing | Cheradee Series
here.
 Topic 11: Design on Question Ladder
I want to collect inputs from others by getting to the
heart of what motivates people.
11.1. What is Question Ladder and why should I do it?
How do you know the right question to ask? Sometimes reaching the right answer means thinking more
about the kind of questions you’re asking. It might sound simple, but focusing on what you’re asking
someone is essential for reaching a deeper understanding. ‘Laddering’ is an interview technique that
helps you to hone in on a certain topic by asking a series of questions about different aspects related
to that topic.

The Question Ladder tool is a quick and easy way to start asking your questions in a few
different ways, and to start combining questions in order to reach more complex answers. It
provides a structured overview of what goes in to a question; it shows how to combine a range of who,
what, where, when, why and how questions coupled with the words like is, did, can, will, would and
might. This makes it much easier to think about the best way to get to the heart of the issue at hand,
and to build chains of questions that will allow you to gradually reach the heart of more complex issues.
11.2 How do I use Question Ladder?

While making a questionnaire or before going for an interview, this worksheet can be used as a
series of possible questions from which a final set can be chosen. Use this to practice approaching
and exploring an issue through various directions.

Once you have gained some experience with using this technique, you might find yourself automatically
using it in conversations or interviews you conduct with people.

(Please do not mind the exit ticket report #s because I have interchanged some lessons according to appropriate order.)
Here are supplementary videos regarding how to do this tool simply. Again, viewing is optional.

Question Ladder by DIY Toolkit

Check the worksheet template Question Ladder by Cheradee Series
here.
 Topic 12: Design on Target Group
I want to know the people I'm working with by better
defining who I am trying to reach.
12.1. What is Target Group and why should I do it?

How to gain better insight into the groups of people you want to cater to, and the kind of needs they
have, is a fundamental question for every project or organization. The Target Group tool is a quick and
easy way to work out an overview and develop an understanding of the different people your work
might reach, and the resources you need to do so.

This tool is probably best used when you are trying to work out some initial ideas about who you want
to cater to, and why. It is also a nice and effective way to share this information with others.
12.2 How do I use Target Group?

Fill out the worksheet by considering what the needs are of the type of people or organizations you are
catering to. Continue with adding notes to describe the potential groups that may be interested in your
work, or who may benefit from it. Also try to think about other people or organizations who might also
benefit from, or have interests/needs that can be connected to your work. These could be different from
your customers.

You can fill out different worksheets for different groups. By using this worksheet, you can build a picture
of the potential groups of beneficiaries. Do try to also fill out the more exact fields at the bottom. This
will help you to get a more concrete sense of the figures involved.

It is useful to add names or brief descriptors for each of the beneficiary groups. If you don’t have a
name already, think of one that represents the group in a useful way for your organization. Naming
these groups makes it easier to discuss with your team or other stakeholders. You can do this
informally, for instance with friends or colleagues. You can also do it more formally, as part of a meeting
with partners or investors. Ideally you could also talk to your customers and other beneficiaries who are
in contact with your work, so you can check your assumptions.

(Please do not mind the exit ticket report #s because I have interchanged some lessons according to appropriate order.)
 Here are supplementary videos regarding how to do this tool simply. Again, viewing is optional.

Target Group | DIY Toolkit

Check the worksheet template Target Group | Cheradee Series
here.
 Topic 13: Design on Personas
I want to know the people I'm working with by
visualizing their key characteristics.
13.1. What is Personas and why should I do it?

Personas are portraits of fictional but realistic individuals that are used as a common reference point
to describe particular groups in your intended audience. Personas are created by drawing together the
characteristics of similar people – their behaviors, motivations and the like – into one ‘archetype’
through which the group can be understood. By creating a fictional character to embody these
characteristics, you don’t lose the little details that make someone the person they are. In this way,
Personas help ensure that your work stays focused on people, rather than an abstract description of
the group they are said to represent.

Developing successful Personas is all about knowing what to put in, and what to leave out. They’re
often developed from a range of different sources, each of which might contain huge amounts of detail.
The trick is to recognize the common characteristics that could form the basis of a Persona, and what
selection of personal details to include in order to bring this ‘to life’. Doing this right can be hugely
beneficial as it lets you brainstorm ideas and test potential solutions from their perspective. Often its
handy to create a number of Personas so that you can focus on the key characteristics of each
subgroup of your intended audience.
13.2 How do I use Personas?

Personas represent different target subgroups that an organization wants to reach out for. Being aware
of the different preferences, routines and motivations that these different Personas have, can help you
to customize your products and services to these specific subgroups.

Use the worksheet to compile a portrait of a typical person that could represent one of the Personas
your organization is targeting. Try to make the Persona as close to a typical person as possible by
adding a name and a picture and descriptions of interests, skills and motivations. Feel free to add any
other details that are relevant to your situation and in relation to this Persona.

(Please do not mind the exit ticket report #s because I have interchanged some lessons according to appropriate order.)
 Here are supplementary videos regarding how to do this tool simply. Again, viewing is optional.

Personas | DIY Toolkit

Check the worksheet template Personas | Cheradee Series
here.

Sources and References:

Design on Problem Definition

“Problem Definition”, Development Impact and You, 2019. [Online]. Available:
https://diytoolkit.org/tools/problem-definition-2/ [Accessed: 28- May- 2020].
https://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v2n1/pdf/mccade.pdf
https://diytoolkit.org/tools/problem-definition-2/
Design on People Shadowing:
Pratitha, “My Journey of People Shadowing: Observing and Learning about Everyday
Lives”, Medium, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://medium.com/@pratithayu/my-journey-of-
people-shadowing-observing-and-learning-about-everyday-lives-fc6acd579a07, [Accessed:
03- Sep- 2019].
“People Shadowing”, Development Impact and You, 2019. [Online]. Available:
https://diytoolkit.org/tools/shadowing/. [Accessed: 03- Sep- 2019].
https://medium.com/@pratithayu/my-journey-of-people-shadowing-observing-and-learning-
about-everyday-lives-fc6acd579a07
Design on Question Ladder
“Question Ladder”, Development Impact and You, 2019. [Online]. Available:
https://diytoolkit.org/tools/question-ladder/ [Accessed: 28- May- 2020].
https://www.open.edu/openlearncreate/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=80416
www.doe.mass.edu/edeval/model/.
Design on Target Group
http://www.projektmanazer.cz/sites/default/files/dokumenty/novinky/leden/1-
2targetgroupanalysisfortheproject.pdf
“Target Group”, Development Impact and You, 2019. [Online].
https://diytoolkit.org/search/TARGET+GROUP
Design on Personas
K. Lee, “The Beginner’s Guide to Creating Marketing Personas: Buffer”, Buffer Marketing
Library, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://buffer.com/library/marketing-personas-beginners-
guide, [Accessed: 09-Sep-2019]
“Personas”, Development Impact and You, 2017. [Online]. Available:
https://diytoolkit.org/tools/personas/. [Accessed: 09- Sep- 2019].
https://buffer.com/library/marketing-personas-beginners-guide

See 5 assignments for this week.

-end of 006-