Creative Approaches to Problem Solving : A Framework for Innovation and Change

by Scott G. Isaksen

• ISBN13: 9781412977739
• ISBN10: 1412977738
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-01-20
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Everything your students need to solve problems, manage change and deliver innovation using the Creative Problem Solving framework This text is the most comprehensive and contemporary overview and description of Creative Problem Solving (CPS) available today. Friendly and highly practical for a broad base of researchers and practitioners, the book provides a framework, language, guidelines, and set of easy-to-use tools for understanding challenges, generating ideas, and transforming promising ideas into action. New and Hallmark Features The authors expanded their emphasis on CPS as a flexible, dynamic process that enables users to select and apply CPS tools, components, and stages in a meaningful way that meets their actual needs. A framework for problem solving that has been tested and applied across ages, settings, and cultures allows readers to apply a common approach to process across many traditional 'œboundaries.' Specific objectives in each chapter provide a clear focus for instruction or independent learning. Practical case studies introduced at the beginning of each chapter and then completed as a 'œrest of the story' toward the end of the chapter provide an application anchor for the reader. New enhanced graphics: Updated and refreshed tables, figures, and illustrative images provide 'œpictures' to go along with the authors' words.A companion Web site with additional resources can be found at www.sagepub.com/Isaksen3e .

Table of Contents

Creative Approaches to Problem Solving

Introduction

What is Creativity?

Characteristics of Creative People

Operations Within the Creative Process

Removing Blocks and Barriers

Creative Results and Outcomes

The Context for Creativity

What is Problem Solving?

What is a Creative Approach?

Linking Creativity and Problem Solving

A Framework for Change

Putting This Chapter to Work

Activities to Guide Reflection and Action

Creative Problem Solving

Introduction

What is Creative Problem Solving?

The Origins and History of CPS

Personal Process Activity

The CPS Framework

Understanding the Challenge

Constructing Opportunities

Exploring Data

Framing Problems

Generating Ideas

Preparing for Action

Developing Solutions

Building Acceptance

Planning Your Approach

Appraising Tasks

Designing Process

The Heartbeat of CPS

Guidelines for Generating

Defer Judgment

Strive for Quantity

Freewheel

Seek Combinations

Brainstorming

Brainstorming is Not the Same as Having a Group Discussion

Brainstorming Includes Having Someone Lead the Session

Brainstorming Includes Recording All Options Generated

Brainstorming Involves Extended Effort

Brainstorming Supplements Individual Ideation

Guidelines for Focusing

Use Affirmative Judgment

Be Deliberate

Consider Novelty

Stay On Course

ALUo (Advantages, Limitations, Unique Qualities, and Overcoming Limitations)

Identifying the Advantages, Strengths, or Strong Points

Identifying Limitations or Areas for Improvement

Identifying Unique Qualities

Overcoming Limitations

Generating and Focusing Lead to Creativity

The Tools of CPS

Knowledge From Practical Experiences

Knowledge Derived From the Literature

A Solid and Explicit Conceptual Foundation Exists

There is Continuous Research and Development

Formal Courses Are Available

Courses and Programs Have Been Evaluated

Communities Exist to Advance Knowledge

Communities Exist to Advance Practice

There is a Documented Need

There is Experimental Evidence

Cps Has Been Widely Applied

Putting This Chapter to Work

Activities to Guide Reflection and Action

Understanding the Challenge

Introduction

Understanding the Challenge in a "Nutshell"

Input

Processing

Output

What is the Constructing Opportunities Stage?

Generating When Constructing Opportunities

Opportunity Statements

Focusing When Constructing Opportunities

Constructing Opportunities - A Sample Application

What is the Exploring Data Stage?

Generating When Exploring Data

Information

Impressions

Observations

Feelings

Questions

A Tool for Exploring Data: 5WH

Focusing When Exploring Data

Identify Key Data

Exploring Data - A Sample Application

What is the Framing Problems Stage?

Constructing an Effective Problem Statement

Generating In Framing Problems

Ladder of Abstraction

Focusing When Framing Problems

Highlighting

Find the Hot Spots

Restate the Hot Spots

The Rest of the Story

Putting This Chapter to Work

Activities to Guide Reflection and Action

Generating Ideas

Introduction

Generating Ideas in a "Nutshell"

Input

Processing

Output

What is the Generating Ideas Component and Stage?

Points to Remember About Idea Generation

The Generating Phase

Qualities to Consider When Generating Options

Using Generating Tools

Brainstorming With Post-ItsÃó

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