Creative
Problem Solving
Prof. Sunil Bakshi
1
Problem Solving Approach
“It's not a problem that we
have a problem.
It's a problem if we don't deal
with the problem.”
Some Thoughts…
A creative person uses information to
form new ideas.
The real key to creative problem
solving is what you do with the
knowledge.
Creative problem solving requires an
attitude that allows you to search for
new ideas and use your knowledge
and experience.
Change perspective & use knowledge
to make ‘ordinary’ into ‘extraordinary’
and the ‘unusual’ into ‘common’.
Definition
“Creative problem solving is –
looking at the same thing as
everyone else and thinking
something different.”
Exercise 1
Join these dots using 4 straight lines
without over-writing or picking up your
pen from the paper.
Solution 1
To solve this problem, you have to look
“Out of the Box”
Exercise 2
Convert these into 3 squares by picking 2
match-sticks. No extra match-stick
should be left behind.
Solution 2
Exercise 3
Convert these into 2 squares by picking
2 match-sticks. No extra match-stick
should be left behind.
Solution 3
Out of our habit, we think of squares of
“The Same Size”.
Exercise 4
How many squares can you see
in this figure?
Four Problem-solving
Principles
There are four principles of
problem identification:
The Godzilla Principle;
The Triple Constraints Principle;
The Control Point Principle;
The Pop-Up Principle.
The Godzilla Principle tells us
that to solve problems easily,
catch them early…
How do you do this?
•Identify the risks (possible problems).
•Monitor your plan and note any
significant deviations.
•Reflect on past experiences
(problems) and learn from them.
“Triple Constraints” principle of
Problem Solving suggests that
something is a problem if:
it makes you late Time Cost
it increases costs
it degrades performance
Performance
If none of these occur, it’s
NOT a problem, just a
hindrance.
The “Control” principle means
that you normally act on problems
only during certain periods (aka
“control points”).
These control points are:
1. When you first think of
the problem
2. When you get an early
warning sign
3. When it actually happens
What’s the lesson? See Godzilla
Principle
The “Pop-Up” principle suggests
that solutions yield problems of
their own.
Solution to
Problem 1 Problem 1 Problem 2
Problem 3
Solution to Problem 4
Problem 2 Problem 5
Barriers That Get In Our Way
Why don’t we think creatively
more often?
What are the barriers that get in
our way?
Time
Habit
Routine
Why change?
Haven’t been taught to be
creative
Mental Blocks
Mental blocks are reasons
(attitudes) why we don’t
“think something different”
Mental Blocks
1. The _________ answer.
2. That’s not ___________.
3. ____________ the rules.
4. Be _________________.
5. ___________ is frivolous.
Mental Blocks
6. That’s not my_________.
7. ___________ ambiguity.
8. Don’t be ___________.
9. ____________is wrong.
10. I’m not ____________.
Mental Block # 1
1. The right answer.
Only one?
Mental Block # 2
1. The right answer.
2. That’s not logical.
Mental Block # 3
1. The right answer.
2. That’s not logical.
3. Follow the rules.
Why rules should be challenged:
•We make rules based on reasons that make a
lot of sense.
•Time passes, and things change.
•The original reasons for the generation of
these rules may no longer exist, but because
the rules are still in place, we continue to
follow them.
Mental Block # 4
1. The right answer.
2. That’s not logical.
3. Follow the rules.
4. Be practical.
Mental Block # 5
1. The right answer.
2. That’s not logical.
3. Follow the rules.
4. Be practical.
5. Play is frivolous.
“When do
you get your
best ideas?”
Mental Block # 6
6. That’s not my area.
Mental Block # 7
6. That’s not my area.
7. Avoid ambiguity.
AMBIGUITY
Mental Block # 8
6. That’s not my area.
7. Avoid ambiguity.
8. Don’t be foolish.
Mental Block # 9
6. That’s not my area.
7. Avoid ambiguity.
8. Don’t be foolish.
9. To err is wrong.
Mental Block # 10
6. That’s not my area.
7. Avoid ambiguity.
8. Don’t be foolish.
9. To err is wrong.
10.I’m not creative.
10 Questions To Encourage
Ideas
[Link] if…?
[Link] can we improve…?
[Link] will the member / community
benefit?
[Link] we forgetting anything?
[Link]’s the next step?
10 Questions To Encourage
Ideas
6. What can we do better…?
7. What do you think about…?
8. What should we add?
9. What should we eliminate?
[Link] other ideas do you have...?
Tools & Techniques
Brainstorming
Purpose:
•To generate a large number of ideas in
a short period of time.
Brainstorming
Rules for Brainstorming
• The more ideas the better!
• No discussion
• No idea is a bad idea
• Build on one another’s ideas
• Display all ideas
Brainstorming Guidelines
Remember
Creative 1. Seek ideas:
Thinking
Every member is
asked to contributed
his idea about the
What did
you mean by problem statement.
that?!!!
2. Clarify idea:
Re-state the
Once all the ideas
question to have been generated,
keep the review the ideas
process going
offered.
Brainstorming Guidelines
Remember
Creative 3. Combine ideas:
Thinking
Eliminate ideas that
are similar in nature or
combine them to
What did
you mean by
generate further ideas.
that?!!!
3. Consolidate:
Re-state the
Once all the ideas are
question to discussed, pick the
keep the best one s out for trail.
process going
Lateral Thinking
Lateral thinking is a term coined by
Edward de Bono, for the solution of
problems through an indirect and
creative approach.
Lateral thinking is about reasoning that
is not immediately obvious and about
ideas that may not be obtainable by
using only traditional step-by-step logic.
A person would use lateral thinking
when they want to move from one
known idea to creating new ideas.
Lateral Thinking
Four critical factors associated with
lateral thinking:
[Link] dominant ideas that
polarize the perception of the problem
[Link] for different ways of looking at
things
[Link] the rigid control of thinking
[Link] of chance to encourage other
ideas
Lateral Thinking Exercises
• Prior to the strategic planning
process, it is useful to enable
creative and lateral thinking.
• Exercises are for fun, but also
help people expand their
boundaries.
Word Expansion Exercise
I
Word Expansion
I
IN
GIN
GAIN
GRAIN
RATING
TRACING
CREATING
REDACTING
DEFRACTING
Word Expansion Exercise
O
Exercise: Words and Symbols
• Reminis _____ • Sweet_____
• Corn_____ch • Femi ______
• Catter ____llar • _________nder
• Heavy-________
Solution: Words and Symbols
• Reminis cent • Femi nine
• Corn star ch • Comma nder
• Catter pi llar • Heavy-weight
• Sweet heart
Thank You
Any Questions???
