Creative Problem Solving

Introduction

Are you stuck in a rut with traditional problem-solving methods? Our Creative Problem Solving course is here to help you break free and explore new horizons. This course is designed to ignite your creativity and equip you with practical tools to tackle challenges from unique angles. Through engaging exercises and real-world scenarios, you’ll learn to generate inventive solutions and enhance your decision-making skills. Perfect for professionals looking to innovate and teams aiming to boost their problem-solving prowess, this course will empower you to turn obstacles into opportunities.

Course Objectives

• Introduction Creative problem-solving.
• Trust and how it impacts creative problem-solving.
• The context for creative problem-solving.
• how to think about the world to promote creative problem-solving.
• Behaviour to encourage ideas.
• Implement effective and straightforward solutions.

Course Outlines

Day 1: Introduction to Creative Problem-Solving

1. Introduction to Creative Problem-Solving

   • Definition and importance.
   • Historical examples of creative problem-solving.
   • Overview of the course structure and objectives.

2. The Creative Process

   • Stages of creative problem-solving.
   • Tools and techniques for brainstorming.
   • Case studies of successful problem-solving.
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3. Understanding Creative Problem-Solving

   • The role of creativity in problem-solving.
   • Differentiating between creativity and innovation.
   • Practical exercises to identify creative approaches.

4. Group Activity

   • Team brainstorming session.
   • Sharing and discussing ideas.
   • Reflection on initial thoughts and approaches.

Day 2: The Impact of Trust on Creative Problem-Solving

1. Building Trust for Effective Problem-Solving

   • The role of trust in team dynamics.
   • How trust enhances collaborative creativity.
   • Techniques to build and maintain trust.

2. Trust-Building Exercises

   • Trust-building activities and games.
   • Analyzing real-life scenarios where trust influenced problem-solving.

3. Trust and Communication

   • Effective communication strategies to foster trust.
   • Overcoming barriers to trust in teams.

4. Case Study Analysis

   • Examining successful and unsuccessful team projects.
   • Discussion on the impact of trust on project outcomes.

Day 3: Context for Creative Problem-Solving

1. Understanding Context

   • The importance of context in problem-solving.
   • How context influences creativity and decision-making.

2. Analyzing Different Contexts

   • Examples of varying contexts in problem-solving.
   • Exercises to identify and adapt to different contexts.

3. Contextual Challenges and Solutions

   • Identifying challenges within specific contexts.
   • Developing creative solutions tailored to context.

4. Group Discussion

   • Sharing experiences and insights.
   • Group activity to solve context-specific problems.

Day 4: Promoting Creative Thinking

1. Thinking about the World

   • Techniques for expanding thinking patterns.
   • Encouraging divergent thinking and innovation.

2. Creative Thinking Strategies

   • Tools to enhance creative thinking.
   • Exercises to shift perspectives and think outside the box.

3. Fostering a Creative Environment

   • Creating an environment that nurtures creativity.
   • Encouraging continuous idea generation.

4. Individual and Group Activities

   • Personal and group exercises to apply creative thinking strategies.
   • Discussion on how to integrate new thinking methods into daily practice.

Day 5: Implementing Effective Solutions

• From Ideas to Solutions

  • Strategies for evaluating and selecting the best ideas.
  • Developing actionable and practical solutions.

• Implementation Techniques

  • Steps to effectively implement solutions.
  • Overcoming common obstacles in implementation.

• Practical Application

  • Final group project: Develop and present a creative solution.
  • Feedback and refinement of solutions.

• Course Review and Reflection

  • Summary of key learnings and takeaways.
  • Reflective discussion on the course experience.
  • Planning for continued application of creative problem-solving skills.