Creative Problem

Solving Tip Sheet

Step 1. Explore the Vision Step 2. Gather Data Step 3. Formulate Challenges
Purpose Purpose Purpose
Identify the goal, wish, or challenge. Identify data to enable a clear understanding of Identify the real challenges that invite solutions.
the challenge.
Diverge Diverge
Generate goal or wish statements Diverge Generate challenge statements phrased as
Use stems: IW, IWBGI Generate as much data/facts/feelings as possible questions. Look at your challenge from as many
directions as you can imagine.
Divergent Questions Divergent Questions Use stems with: H2, HMI, IWWMW
What are goals youd like to accomplish? What is the history of the situation?
What challenges are you facing? How does this make you feel? Divergent Questions
What would you like to do differently? Who else is involved? Rephrase challenge statement from Explore the
Imagine yourself one year from today. Why is this a challenge? Vision as a HMI question.
What goals, dreams, or visions would you What is your influence? Rephrase key data as questions.
like to accomplish or begin in the next year? What have you already tried? Rephrase barriers to success as questions.
What would that be? What is stopping you? Phrase questions from other perspectives.
Tools: Brainstorming, Brainwriting What does your gut tell you? Tools: Brainstorming, Word Dance,
What is your ideal outcome? Why Whats Stopping You
What are the success criteria?
Converge Tools: Brainstorming, Brainwriting, 5 Ws & H
Choose using 3 Is: Converge
1. Is it Important? Select the challenge statement that addresses
2. Do you have Influence? Converge what really needs to be addressed or solved.
3. Do you need new Ideas? Review and select the most important data.
Tools: Dot Voting, Highlighting, 3 Is
Tools: Dot Voting, Highlighting, 3 Is Tools: Dot Voting, Highlighting
Outcome
Outcome Outcome A refined challenge question that invites solution
Statement of key goal, wish, or challenge to address. Significant data, information, and success criteria and stimulates new thinking.
to enable a clear understanding of the challenge.

2014 Creative Education Foundation. All rights reserved.

Divergent Thinking Defer Judgment Convergent Thinking Be Deliberate

Combine and Build on Ideas Check Your Objectives
Guidelines Seek Wild Ideas
Guidelines Improve Your Ideas
Go for Quantity Be Affirmative
Consider Novelty
Step 4. Explore Ideas Step 5. Formulate Solutions Step 6. Formulate a Plan
Purpose Purpose Purpose
Generate ideas that answer the challenge question. Move from ideas to solutions. Evaluate, strengthen, Explore acceptance and identify resources and action steps.
and select solutions.
Diverge Diverge
Stretch for as many ideas as possible, Diverge Explore assisters and resisters
then generate more Generate a list of options to strengthen the idea(s): (people, timing, location, resources)
Write ideas in headline form Pluses, Potentials, Concerns and ways to Generate all the action steps to make your
Divergent Questions Overcome key concerns solution a reality
What ideas come to mind? Divergent Questions Diverging Questions
What are all the ideas you can imagine for What are the Pluses? Who might assist or resist?
solving this? What are the Potentials, spin-offs, future gains? What resources are available?
What ideas would key stakeholders have? It might ... How can you gain acceptance?
A Child? CEO? Movie star? What are the Concerns, limitations? How can you build enthusiasm?
Tools: Brainstorming, Excursions, (Phrase as H2, IWWM) What steps might you take?
Forced Connections, SCAMPER How might we Overcome concerns? Where might you start?
Tools: Brainstorming, PPCO What are short-, mid-, long-term actions?
What can you do in next 24 hours?
Converge Tools: Brainstorming, Brainwriting, Assisters/Resisters
Select ideas that are workable, innovative, Converge
and may solve the challenge. Select the most important options to incorporate
Tools: Dot Voting, Highlighting and create a more robust solution that starts with, Converge
Now what I see myself doing is ... Select the necessary steps and create a plan for
action, detailing: What is going to be done? Who will
Outcome Tools: Dot Voting, Evaluation Matrix
do it? By when will it be done? Who will check?
List of ideas or alternative actions that may
solve the challenge. Outcome Tools: Dot Voting, Highlighting, Action Plan
What I see myself doing is Solution to be implemented.
Restate (NOW what we see ourselves doing is ...) Outcome
Listing of resources and action steps needed to
sell or implement selected solution.
2014 Creative Education Foundation. All rights reserved.

Divergent Thinking Defer Judgment Convergent Thinking Be Deliberate

Combine and Build on Ideas Check Your Objectives
Guidelines Seek Wild Ideas
Guidelines Improve Your Ideas
Go for Quantity Be Affirmative
CPS Model based on work of G.J. Puccio, M. Mance, M.C. Murdock, B. Miller, J. Vehar, R. Firestien, S. Thurber, & D. Nielsen (2011). Consider Novelty