1. Creative Problem Solving
Strategies for Success

2. Recognizing the Real Problem
The mere formulation of a problem is far more often essential than it's solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill. To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle requires creative imagination and marks real advances in science.
Albert Einstein

3. The Situation Determine the “Mess” What is the issue?
Recognize the problem.
Begin to think about what is really going on to create the problem.
It may not be the most obvious issue or problem.

4. Problem Definition Think about the problem in the broadest sense.
Begin to define the “sub-problems”.
The Big Hairy Mess
Smaller Scary Problem
Smaller Scary Problem
Smaller Scary Problem
Smaller Scary Problem

5. Coming to Terms With the “MESS”
List it all
Start writing/brainstorming:
What is the:
Intended change
Best and worst case scenario.
Desire/Goal

6. Elimination of Vagueness in the Big Hairy Mess
Explain the situation or vague problem.
Give the
Who, What, When, Where, Why & How.
Report it without opinion or emotion.
Report just the facts.

7. Just the Facts, Ma’am Work on column 1, then 2, then 3
As you are able investigate circled sources. If you can not do this now, move to the next page.
What other information would you like to have about the problem?
List fact finding questions. Make no judgments
Where could you get the answers?
List sources for information.
Circle the best sources.
Circle the most
significant questions.

8. Idea Finding
1. In what ways might I fix…. (write in the circled problem from the previous page).
2. List all the ideas that might answer the above question.
Use “SCAMPER” to add to the list. Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Magnify/Minimize, Put to another use, What/who Else?, Reverse/Rearrange
3. *Place an asterisk by the best ideas.

9. Solution-Finding Chart the Ideas Evaluation of ideas:
What are the yardsticks by which you can test the ideas?
These criteria are a further measure fo your awareness of the problem. Think about problems that might be brought about by each solution. Try to anticipate all side effects. Look at the facts for the situation for leads to important criteria.
Chart the Ideas

10. Idea Criteria Indicate decision below
Can it be modified to improve its rating?
Total Score
Use now
Hold for later
Reject
Idea
Idea rating scale: 1=poor to 5=excellent

11. Learning to Love the Solution
This sheet is designed to help put the solution into effect. This should be done for each idea selected.
Select the first idea (or combination of ideas) selected from the previous worksheet and write it here:
Column A
How can it be made it work?
Column B
Who, when, where
Column C
How or why &
gaining acceptance
from others
Go back and circle the best ones in Column A. For circled idea list further thoughts. Search for alternatives. In Columns B & C. Circle the best alternatives in each case.