Creative Thinking
Creativity Techniques
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Brainstorming Nominal Grouping Delphi Technique Lotus Blossom
Rules to Creative Thinking
No Criticism Quantity, not Quality Piggyback Ideas The Wilder the Better Quickness Objectivity Be Critical Criticize/Attack Ideas, not People
Brainstorming
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Lateral thinking process approach to problem-solving. Goals of brainstorming:
Break down problem Come up with solutions No criticism of ideas. Judgment and analysis at this stage will stunt idea generation
Brainstorming Process
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Appoint someone to write down the ideas.
Use a flip chart.
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Define the problem
Lay out any criteria to be met
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Keep the session focused on the problem Do not tolerate criticisms of ideas. Welcome creativity. Encourage enthusiasm, positive attitudes.
Process Continued…
• • • Welcome creativity. Encourage enthusiasm, positive attitudes. Ensure no train of thought is followed for too long. Encourage the use of ideas to create new ideas.
Use a brainstorming tree or map
Mind Mapping
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A non-linear problem-solving method How to mind-map
Write the title of the subject in a circle in the center of your map (paper). For major subject subheadings, draw lines outside from this circle.
Use a different color marker to help distinguish them.
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If you have another level of information belonging to the subheadings, draw these and link them, accordingly.
Use a different color marker to help distinguish them.
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For individual facts or ideas, draw lines out from the appropriate heading line and label them.
Example Mind Map
Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3 Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3
Subject
DON’T FORGET TO: • Define problem • List contingencies • List resources • Brainstorm ideas • List assumptions
Rules while Brainstorming
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Establish Rules
Promote quantity of ideas (regardless of how far fetched they are) Allow no criticism or evaluation of ideas as they are generated. Allow only one idea at a time from each person. Encourage idea-building.
Nominal Group Technique
Individuals
develop ideas Ideas are listed and reviewed openly All discuss, clarify and evaluate ideas Individuals vote or rank order ideas Ideas are polled and preferences emerge Decision or choice is made
Delphi Technique
are generated in “rounds” The technique
Round
Ideas
1
Participants are surveyed Collect and compile all responses All participants see everyone’s responses
Round
2 rounds until consensus is achieved
Steps repeated from Round 1
Repeat
Lotus Blossom (a/k/a MY Method)
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Developed by Yasu Matsummura (MY) Technique based upon the lotus blossom flower. 8 Central Ideas
The core
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Ideas, solutions, applications, etc. stemming out from these Central Ideas.
Group Creativity Techniques
F
C F C G B D E A H
A
G
Lotus
Blossom
B
D
E
H
Group Creativity Techniques
6-3-5 Method
6 participants 3 ideas 5 minutes Each participant (6?) writes 3 ideas in 5 minutes on a sheet of paper, then passes the sheet to the participant on his/her right. Repeat until original sheet returns.
Group Creativity Techniques
Nominal Group Technique Group members write ideas on separate 3x5 cards (as many as possible in time allotted) Members in turn post cards on board Authors give brief explanations, answer questions; no sales pitches allowed! Participants vote in secret on 1-5 basis
Other Problem Solving Techniques
Role-Playing
team members act out needs and/or expectations of functional group members Helps to catch mistakes early
Storyboarding
Visual
All
representation of steps needed to bring ideas to fruition Enables audience to “see” the idea (vision) and its logical progression
That’s all for now Guys…………….