• . Ensure to include documentation of concrete outcomes/product of your work - e.g. work plan, steps you will use to implement your plan, etc.
• Introduction:
• Creative Problem Solving (CPS) is a methodical approach to creatively solving
• problems. It takes more than merely generating ideas to effectively analyze, improve,
• and carry out those concepts. The method emphasizes the value of both divergent and
• convergent thinking, guaranteeing that in addition to generating a wide range of ideas,
• there is a methodical approach to select and hone the most pertinent ones.
• The Stages of CPS:
• Assessing the Situation:
• Gathering Data (Divergent Phase):
• Understanding the situation in its whole is crucial before attempting to solve any
• problems. This entails acquiring as much information as you can regarding the current
• problem. Imagine doing this as putting out each piece of a puzzle before attempting to
• put it all together.
• Select Key Data (Convergent Phase):
• Identifying the information that is most important to the problem after having access to
• all the data is the next stage. Finding the corner and edge pieces first when sorting
• through jigsaw puzzle pieces is analogous to doing this.
• Clarification Stage :
• Exploring the Vision (Divergent Phase): Here, the emphasis switches from
• comprehending the issue to imagining possible fixes or results. This is coming up with
• "wish" statements or visualizing the ideal situation. It's about allowing the mind to roam
• free and envisioning the best case situations unrestricted.
• Exploring the Vision (Convergent Phase):
• After painting a broad picture of possible desired outcomes, it's time to narrow the
• focus. Among all the visions or wishes listed, which one resonates most? Which one
• seems the most aligned with the objectives and feasible to pursue?
• Formulating Challenges (Divergent Phase):
• There will be roadblocks in the way, even with a clear vision in mind. The goal of this
• step is to identify those barriers or difficulties.
• What is the obstacle separating the intended state from the existing one?
• Formulating Challenges (Convergent Phase):
• Not all difficulties are equally important. While some may only be small obstacles,
• others may present significant challenges. Here, the job is to sort through the issues
• mentioned and determine which ones need to be addressed the most.
• Application of CPS in Real-Life :
• Although CPS is a useful theoretical field, its practical applications are where it really
• excels. Through the application of the CPS framework to actual difficulties from their
• personal or professional lives, learners are encouraged to take a hands-on approach.
• The "wildcard principle" or "allow for incubation" is an important concept to keep in mind
• when using this program. It emphasizes how crucial it is to take pauses, allow thoughts
• to simmer, and then come back to the issue from a different angle.
• Starting the CPS Process:
• Starting out could be the most difficult thing for someone new to CPS. How can a
• problem that is ideal for this kind of approach be identified? Look within yourself for the
• solution. Consider your present obstacles, objectives, wishes, and ambitions. It's not
• enough to choose any problem, though; the problem should be broad enough to allow
• for exploration, should not have a predetermined answer (be open-ended), and the
• person selected for the problem should be in a position to implement the solutions (the
• problem owner).
• In conclusion, method for creative problem solving combines methodical analysis with
• creative thinking in a well-balanced way.
• It guarantees that although creativity stays at the forefront, there's also a systematic
• way to bring those creative concepts to reality by encouraging both divergent and
• convergent thinking. For both personal and professional obstacles, the CPS
• methodology offers a strong foundation for creative problem-solving.

- The outcome of the Transformation stage you just completed is a proposed solution that has high potential to help you achieve your vision- to move you from the current reality to the desired future. - A creative solution by definition represents a change, and change is not always warmly embraced. - In the Implementation stage are two steps: Exploring Acceptance, in which you identify who and what will assist, who and what will resist, and how to work with the assisters and resisters; and Formulating a Plan, in which you develop action steps for implementation. 4. Implementation Stage - Exploring Acceptance-Divergent Phase: Generate Sources of Assistance and Resistance -To maximize the likelihood of success, you will examine the sources of assistance (those that will support the change or help you to successfully implement), and the sources of resistance (those that could stand in your way and prevent implementation or make it more challenging). STEPS - Diverge: - Generate a list of all possible sources of assistance, which can include people, groups, resources, and other factors in your favor; then list all possible sources of resistance, which also includes people, groups, resources, laws, regulations, budgets, and other complexities. - Be thorough and remember to use the divergent thinking guidelines. Here are some questions that might be helpful. - Who might be helpful to you in implementing this? Who else? - Who might object or make it difficult to implement this? Who else? - What might be the best timing for implementing this? - What might be really bad timing for implementing this? - What might be helpful implementing this (resources, attitudes, policies, procedures)? What else? - What might get in the way of implementing this (resources, attitudes, policies, procedures)? What else? - What locations might be conducive to this? What others? - What locations would hinder success? What others? - What rationale or reasons might be provided in support of this? - What reasons might be offered to block this? At the End of this Step: You will have decided upon a proposed solution, which will be carried forward to the Implementation Stage, and will have a solution statement to guide the rest of the process 4. Implementation Stage - Exploring Acceptance - Convergent Phase: Select Key Sources of Assistance and Resistance, and Overcome Key Sources of Resistance - In the convergent phase of this step you will decide which are the key assisters and resisters, and what to do about them; that is, how to leverage the former and mitigate the latter. STEPS - Converge: - When considering the path to successful implementation, some of the sources of assistance and resistance that you identified are more significant than others. - On each list, mark them. Next, for each key source of assistance, generate ideas about how to make use of that resource. - From that list, select the ideas that you will employ. Then, for each key source of resistance, generate ideas for how to mitigate or overcome the resistance. From that list, sefect the ideas that you will employ. - At the End of this Step: You will have identified ideas for working with assisters and resisters. These ideas will be incorporated in your implementation action plan. STEPS - Diverge: - List all the potential action steps required to implement the solution that you described in your solution statement. - Include the actions that naturally flow from the sources of assistance and resistance that you identified as being critical to success. - Keep in mind that you are engaging in divergent thinking at this point, so remember to stretch for all of the actions steps that might be useful in moving your proposed action forward. 4. Implementation Stage - Formulating a Plan - Divergent Phase: Generate Action Steps - Now you will make a plan to implement your solution, by generating and then organizing action steps into an action plan. Be sure to include steps that enlist or take advantage of your key sources of assistance, and action steps that minimize or mitigate sources of resistance. STEPS - Diverge: - List all the potential action steps required to implement the solution that you described in your solution statement. - Include the actions that naturally flow from the sources of assistance and resistance that you identified as being critical to success. - Keep in mind that you are engaging in divergent thinking at this point, so remember to stretch for all of the actions steps that might be useful in moving your proposed action forward. 4. Implementation Stage -Formulating a Plan-Convergent Phase: Modify Solution Statement; Select and Organize Action Steps - The list of possible action steps will now be condensed and organized into a workable plan. (Note: This process details a common, time-tested method for organizing a multi-step project. - The complexity of the solution may require additional project management tools and skills.) - If necessary, modify your solution statement to include any changes you need to make after considering how you will address your key sources of assistance and resistance. - Then, from the list of action steps you generated in the divergent phase, mark the ones that must be included. - Combine, separate, and eliminate where needed. - Then, organize the steps into a plan by completing a chart like in next slide. - Be sure to include immediate, short, intermediate, and long-term actions, and to define those terms. - For example, does immediate mean 24 hours? 48 hours? Is short term 3 months, 6 months? Debriefing Your Experience - You have now completed the CPS process from beginning to end. Let's capture what you have learned, by considering the following questions. - What insights or new thoughts do you now have about your original situation? - How was it helpful to go through a deliberate creative process to address this situation? - How did this differ from the way in which you typically employ creative thinking when attempting to resolve a difficult situation? -What insights do you have about the CPS process