Creative Problem Solving Techniques That Anyone Can UseThere are many different approaches to problem solving. Depending on the type of problem you have, and the people that are involved in finding the solution with you, depends on the approach you should take. After you have identified the problem, you need to find a creative solution. Depending on your personality, interests and study habits you may find that while one particular brainstorming or problem solving technique works well for others, it will not necessarily work well for you. There are more than 101 creative problem solving techniques that you can use. There are many options for brainstorming techniques. Generating ideas on your particular topic, idea or assignment is the main idea behind brainstorming. You want to get as much information written down as quickly as possible. One of the most popular brainstorming techniques is called free writing. To free-write, you need a pen and paper, or a computer and then you write down whatever it is that comes to mind. This can be short sentences or idea, or one word that comes to mind when you think about your topic. Give yourself a time limit; say 15 minutes to just let the word flow onto the page. Or give yourself a page limit; write down your ideas until 5 pages are full. The key to making free-writing work however is to not criticize what you have written down. Keep writing, even if you think that you are writing nonsense. If you are too self conscious and critical about what you write, the exercise will not be beneficial.
Another of the 101 creative problem solving techniques is to make charts, graphs, webs or tables that can help you discover the possibilities of your topic. Write your idea down in the middle of your paper, and then add associated words around it, connecting each of them back to the main word or idea. Some people need visual aids to help them wrap around an idea.
Choose a no stress setting. This may mean that you need to leave the office and go to a neutral zone such as a restaurant, or a team member’s home, or any other place that does not have constant interruptions, or does not add additional stress onto your lap.
Creative problem solving techniques can be applied to almost any age and any situation. And remember the more diverse your team or group is, the more creative the answers and solutions will be. |