Chapter One: Creative Approaches to Problem Solving
Characteristics of Creative People
Operations Within the Creative Process
Removing Blocks and Barriers
Creative Results and Outcomes
The Context for Creativity
What is a Creative Approach?
Linking Creativity and Problem Solving
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter Two: Creative Problem Solving
What is Creative Problem Solving?
The Origins and History of CPS
Personal Process Activity
Understanding the Challenge
Constructing Opportunities
Guidelines for Generating
Brainstorming is Not the Same as Having a Group Discussion
Brainstorming Includes Having Someone Lead the Session
Brainstorming Includes Recording All Options Generated
Brainstorming Involves Extended Effort
Brainstorming Supplements Individual Ideation
ALUo (Advantages, Limitations, Unique Qualities, and Overcoming Limitations)
Identifying the Advantages, Strengths, or Strong Points
Identifying Limitations or Areas for Improvement
Identifying Unique Qualities
Generating and Focusing Lead to Creativity
Knowledge From Practical Experiences
Knowledge Derived From the Literature
A Solid and Explicit Conceptual Foundation Exists
There is Continuous Research and Development
Formal Courses Are Available
Courses and Programs Have Been Evaluated
Communities Exist to Advance Knowledge
Communities Exist to Advance Practice
There is a Documented Need
There is Experimental Evidence
Cps Has Been Widely Applied
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter Three: Understanding the Challenge
Understanding the Challenge in a “Nutshell”
What is the Constructing Opportunities Stage?
Generating When Constructing Opportunities
Focusing When Constructing Opportunities
Constructing Opportunities – A Sample Application
What is the Exploring Data Stage?
Generating When Exploring Data
A Tool for Exploring Data: 5WH
Focusing When Exploring Data
Exploring Data – A Sample Application
What is the Framing Problems Stage?
Constructing an Effective Problem Statement
Generating In Framing Problems
Focusing When Framing Problems
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter Four: Generating Ideas
Generating Ideas in a “Nutshell”
What is the Generating Ideas Component and Stage?
Points to Remember About Idea Generation
Qualities to Consider When Generating Options
Brainstorming With Post-Its®
Visually Identifying Relationships
Choosing Appropriate Tools
Focusing in Generating Ideas
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter Five: Preparing for Action
Preparing for Action in a “Nutshell”
What is the Developing Solutions Stage?
Generating In Developing Solutions
Focusing in Developing Solutions
Choosing Tools for Focusing
Paired Comparison Analysis
Put Your Options In the PCA
Compare Each Pair of Options
Summarizing the Developing Solutions Stage
What is the Building Acceptance Stage?
Generating in Building Acceptance
Generating Sources of Assistance
Generate Possible Assisters
Generate Possible Resisters
Generating Potential Action Steps
Identifying and Overcoming Limitations
Focusing in Building Acceptance
Planning for Implementation
Obtaining Feedback on Your Plan
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter Six: Planning Your Approach to CPS
Planning Your Approach in a “Nutshell”
What is Appraising Tasks?
The People and Context Dimension
The Content-Method Dimension
What is Designing Process?
Required Results From the Process
Needed Elements of the Method
Desired Involvement and Interaction
Constraints From the Context
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter 7: People as Creative Problem Solvers
Some Key Questions About Ownership
Working Outside Your Preferences
Some Key Questions About Diversity
Some Key Questions About Task Expertise
Using Information About People When Appraising Tasks
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter Eight: the Context for CPS
The Environment Conducive to Creativity
Support for Creative Productivity
Support for People’s Efforts
Are You Ready for Change?
Dimensions of the Climate for Creativity
Implications of Understanding Climate
Are You Willing to Manage Change?
Are You Able to Move Forward?
Using Information About Context When Appraising Tasks
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter 9: The Role of Content
The Role of Content In the System
Novelty: What Kind of Novelty Do You Need?
Size: How Great An Impact Do You Want?
Leverage: Where is the Best Place to Focus Your Energy?
Identifying Key Leverage Points
Using Your Understanding About Content
Adjust Expectations You Hold for CPS
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter 10: Cps as a Change Method
Being Deliberate About Method
Do You Need the Purpose and Unique Qualities of CPS?
How Confident Am I In Using CPS?
What Are the Benefits and Costs of Using CPS?
What Are the Benefits of Using CPS?
What Are the Costs of Using CPS?
Your Options From Exploring Methods
Combine CPS With Other Method(S)
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter 11: Designing Your Way Through CPS
An Example of Matching Process to Need
Using Understanding the Challenge
Using Preparing for Action
What is Designing Process?
Setting the Scope of CPS Application
Designing a Single Session
The Session Purpose and Outcome
The CPS Component and Stage to Use
Tips for Designing a Single Session
Tips for Designing a Single Session
Have Other Stages and Tools Ready for Use
Designing a Project Application
The High-Level Project Plan
The Parts of the Project Involving CPS
The Involvement of Different People Along the Way
Scheduling (People, Time, Locations, Etc)
Tips for Designing Project Applications
Design Flexibility Into Your Project Plans
Plan Links Between Multiple Sessions
Design for Extended Effort
The Goals and Strategies for the Initiative
The General Plan for Guiding the Initiative
Time-Frames and Outcomes of Projects
Plan for How People Will Be Involved
Tips for Designing Initiative-Level Application of CPS
Keep Your General Plan at a CPS Component Level
Design for Consistent Project Outputs
Plan for Changing Involvement of People
Plan Check-In Points Throughout the Initiative
Designing Ways to Involve People
Determine Your Level of Use
Using CPS At An Individual Level
Using CPS At the Group Or Team Level
Using CPS At the Organizational Level
Clarify People’s Roles and Responsibilities
Involving Resource-Group Members
Designing for the Impact of Context
Designing for Willingness
Designing Your Work Space
Some Suggestions for Designing Process
Design With Purpose In Mind
Design a Straightforward Pathway Through CPS
Be Ready to Change Your Plans
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
Chapter 12: Applying CPS
What Did the Participants In the Session Do?
What Challenges Did the Participants Face?
What Impact Did CPS Have?
Creating Computer Software
What Did the Project Manager Do?
What Challenges Did the Project Manager Face?
What Impact Did CPS Have?
What Challenges Did We Face?
Prepare the Topic to Be Addressed
Prepare the Working Environment
General Suggestions for Getting Started
Use CPS Personally to Demonstrate its Effectiveness
Demonstrate the Benefits of CPS
Use CPS Soon After Reading This Book
Use the CPS Framework Flexibly
Start By Using CPS On Low-Risk Tasks
Integrate CPS Into Your Current Activities
Find a Sponsor for Your CPS Application
Find a Safe Group With Which to Practice
Team Up With Someone Who Knows CPS
Use Outside Experts to Get Help
Additional Resources
The Creative Problem Solving Group, Inc (CPSB)
Center for Creative Learning, Inc (CCL)
An Invitation
Putting This Chapter to Work
Activities to Guide Reflection and Action
