Creative Thinking and Problem Solving PDF

# Creative Thinking and Problem Solving **Creativity in a business context is seeing an end goal but using different thinking methods.** * **Why?** Creativity is needed because a business can't operate in the same way forever because there are so many rapid changes constantly happening. **Creativ...

# Creative Thinking and Problem Solving **Creativity in a business context is seeing an end goal but using different thinking methods.** * **Why?** Creativity is needed because a business can't operate in the same way forever because there are so many rapid changes constantly happening. **Creativity** * **Elaboration:** Adding detail and depth to different ideas. * **Fluency:** Ability to produce several different ideas; creative thinking/ brainstorming. * **Originality:** Ability to develop unique ideas that have creativeness and newness. * **Flexibility:** Being able to look at concepts from different POVs and consider the implications of small changes. **SCAMPER** is an acronym used by a business to come up with new ideas. **NB:** The aim of creative thinking is to create competitive advantage. **Substitute:** Which supplier can be substituted? What other process can be used? **Combine:** Can this product/service be combined with another? Can different materials be combined when making products? **Adapt:** How can the product/service be adapted to perform better? Can the product be adapted to make it more environmentally friendly? **Modify:** What can be modified to make it better? How can this product be made smaller/bigger? **Put to new use:** Can this product be used elsewhere? How can the wastage be recycled to make something? **Eliminate or Elaborate:** What features to add or take away? How will this affect the target market? **Reverse:** Can the production sequence be rearranged? What would happen if service delivery order was reversed? **Force Field Analysis** is a tool that helps the business weigh the pros and cons of implementing a new idea or project. 1. **Define the problem** 2. **Define the driving forces** 3. **Identify driving forces** 4. **Identify restraining forces** 5. **Develop a strategy to change the forces** **Driving Forces** * Technology * Legislation * Demand **Restraining Forces** * Weak currency * Competitors * Limited supply **Obstacles to Creative Thinking** * Lack of sleep * Not voicing ideas * Routine logical thinking * Mindset of "it works, why change it" * "I don't have time to be creative" * Managers that stop creativity * Not allowing yourself to be creative **Indigenous Thinking** Knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation. **Problem-Solving Techniques** **Decision Tree** * Getting a message while studying? * Break? Yes: Is it a quick answer? Answer, No: Ignore * Break? No : Ignore * Will it distract longer than break? Yes: Wait/Ignore * Will it distract longer than break? No: Wait/Ignore **Value Chain Analysis** * Look at the entire business process to decide where value is added in a cost-effective way to enhance quality of the product or service. * **Value chain analysis aim = adding value for customers.** * 4 can be internal (co-workers) or external. **PESTLE** * Political * Economic * Social * Technological * Legal * Environmental **SWOT** * Strengths (internal) * Weaknesses (internal) * Opportunities (external) * Threats (external) **Delphi Technique** Experts gather to conversate about something, not always face-to-face **Resource-Based Approach** Which resources are of strategic importance to the business that can create a competitive advantage * Tangible: Scarce raw materials, land and buildings, equipment * Intangible: Patents, established brand, skills, good morale **Balanced Score Card** * **Financial Perspective** * Revenue * Expenses * Net income * Cash flow * Asset value * **Internal Process Perspective** * Inventory * Orders * Resource allocation * Cycle time * Quality control * **Customer Perspective** * Customer satisfaction * Customer retention * Market share * Brand strength * **Learning/Growth Perspective** * Employee satisfaction * Employee turnover * Employee skills * Employee education