Course Overview
This 1 day, instructor led course will give participants an overview of the entire creative problem-solving process, as well as key problem-solving tools that they can use every day. Skills such as brainstorming, information gathering, analyzing data, and identifying resources will be covered throughout the workshop. By the end f this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand problems and the creative problem-solving process
- Identify types of information to gather and key questions to ask in problem solving
- Identify the importance of defining a problem correctly
- Identify and use four different problem definition tools
- Write concrete problem statements
- Use basic brainstorming tools to generate ideas for solutions
- Evaluate potential solutions against criteria, including cost/benefit analysis and group voting
- Perform a final analysis to select a solution
- Understand the roles that fact and intuition play in selecting a solution
- Understand the need to refine the shortlist and redefine it
- Understand how to identify the tasks and resources necessary to implement solutions
- Evaluate and adapt solutions to reality
Schedule
Problem Solving, Cause, and Corrective Action
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location
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Course Outline
Module 1: Getting Started
- Introductions
- Course Objectives
- Action Plans
Module 2: The Problem-Solving Method
- What is a problem?
- What is Creative Problem Solving?
- What are the Steps in the Creative Solving Process?
Module 3: Information Gathering
- Understanding Types of Information
- Identifying Key Questions
- Methods of Gathering Information
Module 4: Problem Definition
- Defining the Problem
- Determining Where the Problem Originated
- Defining the Present State and the Desired State
- Stating and Restating the Problem
- Analyzing the Problem
- Writing the Problem Statement
Module 5: Preparing for Brainstorming
- Identifying Mental Blocks
- Removing Mental Blocks
- Stimulating Creativity
Module 6: Generating Solutions I
- Brainstorming Basics
- Brainwriting and Mind Mapping
- Duncker Diagrams
Module 7: Generating Solutions II
- The Morphological Matrix
- The Six Thinking Hats
- The Blink Method
Module 8: Analyzing Solutions
- Developing Criteria
- Analyzing Wants and Needs
- Using Cost/Benefit Analysis
Module 9: Selecting a Solution
- Doing a Final Analysis
- Paired Comparison Analysis
- Analyzing Potential Problems
Module 10: Planning Your Next Steps
- Identifying Tasks
- Identifying Resources
- Implementing, Evaluating, and Adapting
Module 11: Recording Lessons Learned
- Planning the Follow-Up Meeting
- Celebrating Successes
- Identifying Improvements