1. Chapter 3: Solving Problems Analytically and Creatively
How should I figure THIS one out?

2. Solving Problems Creatively: Objectives
Increase proficiency in:
Rational problem solving
Recognizing personal conceptual blocks
Enhancing creativity by overcoming conceptual blocks
Fostering innovation among others
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3. Rational Problem Solving
Step 1: Define the Problem
Differentiate fact from opinion
Specify underlying causes
State the problem explicitly
Identify what standard is violated
Determine whose problem it is
Avoid solutions disguised as problems
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4. Rational Problem Solving
Step 2: Generate Alternative Solutions
Match solutions to goals
Get solutions from everyone involved
Build on others’ ideas
Specify short- and long-term solutions
Postpone evaluating alternatives
Specify alternatives that solve the problem
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5. Rational Problem Solving
Step 3: Evaluate and Select an Alternative
Evaluate relative to the best standard
Evaluate systematically
Evaluate relative to goals
Evaluate main effects and side effects
State the selected alternative explicitly
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6. Rational Problem Solving
Step 4: Implement and Follow Up on the Solution
Implement at proper time in right sequence
Provide feedback opportunities
Engender acceptance
Establish ongoing monitoring system
Evaluate based on problem solution
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7. How to Foster Rationality Among Work Groups
Describe the terrain; what does rationality look like, why do you want to go there?
Rehearse rationality regularly within the group
Clearly specify goals, desired outcomes, criteria, values with everyone at the beginning
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8. How to Foster Rationality Among Work Groups
Help everyone learn to distinguish between a problem and a symptom and a solution
Don’t make decision making a race; rationality is a craft, not a competition
Tap everyone as an information source
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9. How to Foster Rationality Among Work Groups
Discourage everyone from assuming that they already know the answer; no early conclusions allowed
Ask the first reasonable solution to come in, take a seat, and wait until additional solutions arrive
Invite everyone to consider as many effects of the decision as possible
It ain’t over until the evaluation is sung and the reviews are in
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10. Limitations of the Rational Problem-Solving Model
Time, competing problem demands (firefighting)
Ambiguity of the situation, problem
Insufficient, inaccurate information
“Brain Strain” – information overload
History, habit, commitment
Specialties and backgrounds of decision makers: perceptual blocks
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11. Limitations of the Rational Problem-Solving Model
Individual differences in cognitive styles
Self-interest
Money
Politics, conflict
Need to “break set”...
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12. Use Creative Problem Solving To “Break Set” When...
no acceptable alternative seems to be available
all reasonable solutions seem to be blocked
no obvious best answer is accessible
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13. Creativity Involves the use of intuition, ingenuity, insight
Rather than narrowing down to “one best decision,” opening to create new possibilities, many alternatives
Outgrowth of training and experience
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14. Conceptual Blocks Inhibit Creative Problem Solving
Constancy
Vertical thinking – “dig the well deeper”
Single thinking language – can you move one stick to create a true equality?
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15. Conceptual Blocks Inhibit Creativity
Commitment
Stereotyping based on past experience – “four volumes of Shakespeare” question
Ignoring commonalities – what are common terms that apply to both water and finance? ?=
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16. Conceptual Blocks Inhibit Creativity
Compression
Artificially constraining a problem – draw one line through nine dots
Distinguish figure from ground
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17. Conceptual Blocks Inhibit Creativity
Complacency
Lack of questioning – when was the last time you asked three “why” questions in a row?
Bias against thinking – left brain more likely to be used than right
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18. Stages in Conceptual Blockbusting
Preparation
Incubation
Illumination
Verification
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19. Creativity Tips Give yourself relaxation time
Find a place where you can think
Talk to other people about ideas
Ask other people for their suggestions about your problems
Read a lot
Protect yourself from idea-killers
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20. To Foster Creativity... Principle Examples Pull people apart
Put people together
Let individuals work alone
Encourage minority reports
Encourage heterogeneous team members
Separate competing groups
Monitor and prod
Talk to customers, identify their expectations
Hold people accountable
Use “sharp-pointed” prods
Reward multiple roles
Idea champion; Sponsor and mentor;
Orchestrator and Facilitator; Rule Breaker
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21. Case Studies
The Sony Walkman – answer questions in textbook – don’t go to next slides until you have done so!
After developing your own ideas, come up with a group plan for fostering this type of innovation in a company like Dow-Corning
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22. The Sony Walkman Finale
Ibuka enlisted the assistance of Morita, then orchestrated a meeting with the tape recorder engineers, the headphone engineers, and Morita. He had persuaded production to make one prototype, and then he simply let everyone listen to music through the headphones. Eureka! He had his idea sold.
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23. The Sony Walkman Finale
At first the product didn’t sell very well in Japan, but when it was exported to the United States – with its skateboarders, joggers, bicyclists, and exercise nuts – it took off like crazy. Soon it became standard fare for every teenager in the country, and for many of their parents as well. In fact, it was the product that most people associated with the Sony name, and at about $100 per unit, it became a large addition to corporate revenues as well.
Ibuka didn’t invent the product, but he was clearly its innovator.
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24. Conceptual Blockbusting
Prior to meeting in groups:
Generate your statement that accurately defines the problem
Develop at least three alternative solutions to problem
During group meeting
Agree upon “actual” problem
Develop a group solution to problem
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25. Conceptual Blockbusting
After agreeing on problem and solution, generate AT LEAST 5 other definitions of the problem
Apply creative problem-solving techniques to generate at least 10 new solutions to the problem
Be prepared to report the most creative and insightful solution from your group to the class next week
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26. Discussion Questions – Conceptual Blocks
How difficult was it to reach consensus on a problem statement?
How quickly did the group select a good alternative in stage 1?
What creative problem-solving hints and techniques were most useful in each case?
Which were less useful?
Which can you use in other problems you face?
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