Creativity, Problem Solving, and Decision Making PDF

Creativity, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

By Shimaa Elwardany Aly Assistant professor of Community Health Nursing Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University  Outlines...

Creativity, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

By Shimaa Elwardany Aly Assistant professor of Community Health Nursing Faculty of Nursing, Assiut University  Outlines  Definition of Creative Thinking  Components of Creative Thinking  Benef it s of combining critical and creative of thinking  Tips for giving creative thinking skills an extra boost  Differences between Critical and Creative Thinking  Definition of Problem solving  Using Critical Thinking Skills in Problem Solving  Strategies for critical Thinking & problem Solving  Components of decision-making  Using Critical Thinking Skills in Decision Making I. Creative Thinking Creative thinking involves thinking about a t o p i c i n u nu s u a l , u nc o nv e nt i o na l a nd alternative ways to generate new ideas about an established topic. A creative thinker will try to address an issue from a perspective that hasn’t been used before. Definition of Creative Thinking  I t i s a w a y o f l o o k i n g a t p ro b l e m s o r situations from a fresh perspective that suggests unorthodox solutions (which may look unsettling at f irst). Components of Creative Thinking: Fluency: This refers to the ability to generate a large number of ideas with ease. Fl e x i b i l i ty: T hi s i nv ol v e s c onsi d e ri ng different possibilities and perspectives. Originality: This refers to the ability to produce unconventional and unique ideas.  El ab orati on: T hi s i nv ol v e s re f in i ng and developing ideas with details and depth. Imagery: This refers to the ability to visualize and manipulate images or metaphors to generate ideas. Asso c i ati o n: T hi s i nv o l v e s c o nne c ti ng seem ingly unrelated ideas to form new concepts.  Benef it s of combining critical and creative of thinking:  Increase in productivity and efficiency  Improved communication and teamwork skills  Better problem-solving and decision-making abilities  Enhancement of individual and organizational creativity and innovation Some tips for giving creative thinking skills an extra boost:  Challenge assumptions.  Brainstorm different solutions.  Consider different perspectives.  Take a break and come back later with fresh eyes:  II. Problem-Solving Definition of Problem solving  I t i s t h e a c t o f d e f in i n g a p r o b l e m ; determ ining the cause of the problem ; i d e nti f yi ng , p ri ori ti zi ng , and se l e c ti ng alternatives for a solution; and implementing a solution To use problem-solving skills effectively, keep these tips in mind:  Break the problem down into smaller, manageable parts.  Look for connections between pieces.  Don’t get overwhelmed by the scope of the challenge at hand; take it one step at a time and remember that even small victories can help move you closer to finding a solution.  Think creatively  Keep track of what works and what doesn’t  Using Critical Thinking Skills in Problem Solving  1. Define the Problem: The f ir st step in problem-solving is to clearly def ine the problem at hand. Take the time to understand the root cause, identify the d e si re d o ut c o m e , a nd g a t he r re l e v a nt information. 2. Analyze the Situation: Once the problem is def in ed, it's important to analyze the situation thoroughly. Break down the problem into smaller components, examine any patterns or trends, and consider any constraints or limitations. This analysis will help you gain a deeper understanding of the problem and its underlying factors.  3. Generate Possible Solutions: With a clear understanding of the problem, it's time to brainstorm potential solutions. Encourage creativity and consider all possible options, even if they seem unconventional. This step is about quantity, not quality, so aim to generate as many ideas as possible.  4. Evaluate and Select the Best Solution: After generating a list of potential solutions, it's time to evaluate each option based on its feasibility, effec tiveness, and alignment with the d esired outc ome. Consid er the pros and c ons of eac h solution and weigh them against each other. Select the solution that appears to be the most viable and likely to solve the problem effectively.  5. Implement the Solution: Once you have chosen the best solution, it's time to put it into action. Develop a detailed plan, allocate necessary resources, and communicate the plan to relevant stakeholders. Ensure that everyone involved understands their roles and responsibilities in implementing the solution.  6. Monitor and Evaluate: Implementing the solution is not the end of the problem-solving process. Continuously monitor the progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the so l ut i o n. I f ne c e ssa r y, m a ke a d j ust m e nt s o r modifications to improve the outcome.  Strategies for critical Thinking & problem Solving  Assess and Restate the Problem  Encourage Creativity  Question Assumptions  Follow Up  III. A decision-making process Definition of decision-making  It is the process of selecting a right and effective course of action from two or more alternatives for the purpose of achieving a desired result.  Four key components of decision-making: 1. Goal Setting: Take time to f irst identify what you want to accomplish with your decision. 2. Analyzing Alternatives: Evaluate the pros and cons of potential solutions before choosing one. 3. Risk assessment: estimate the possible risks associated with each potential solution, based on current evidence. 4. Implementation: Once the decision is made, start working on implementation tasks and track results for ongoing improvement or refinement. Using Critical Thinking Skills in Decision Making Recognize decisions: Decisions are more than w i s h e s o r d e s i re s. T h e re’s a w o r l d o f difference between Establish priorities: Devote more time and energy to the decisions with big outcomes.  Base decisions on a life plan: The benef it of having long-term goals for our lives is that they provide a basis for many of our daily decisions. Balance learning styles in decision making: First, take the time to think creatively, and generate many options. Then think critically about the possible consequences of each option before choosing one.  Choose an overall strategy: Every time you make a decision, you choose a strategy  Use time as an ally: Sometimes we face dilemmas—situations in which any course of action leads to undesirable consequences. In such cases, consider putting a decision on hold. Wait it out. Do nothing until the circumstances change, making one alternative clearly preferable to another.  Use intuition: Intuitive decisions usually arrive after we’ve gathered the relevant fac ts and fac ed a problem for some time.  Evaluate your decision: After acting on a decision, observe the consequences over time. Ref lect on how well the decision worked and what might have done differently.  Think of choices: This f inal suggestion involves some creative thinking