AN INTRODUCTION TO

CREATIVE PROBLEM

SOLVING

Creative Problem Solving (CPS) is a framework to apply creative-thinking processes to solve problems. Embedded in the model are tools and strategies that, when placed in the hands of students, allow them to be engaged in a process for thinking both creatively and critically.

The Creative Problem Solving method is not just for school use. It should develop habits of mind in students that benefit them for a lifetime.

WHAT IS

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING?

There are several (similar) models of creative

problem solving that have been heavily

researched and used in both business and

education settings.

The model discussed here was developed by

Alex Osborn and Sidney Parnes.

WHO DEVELOPED

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING?

1. Object ive (Mess) F inding:

Select a problem.

2. Fact F inding:

List what you know.

3. Problem Finding:

What is the real problem?

4. Idea Finding:

Brainstorm ideas.

5. Solut ion Finding:

How wil l you evaluate your ideas?

Which is best?

6. Acceptance Finding:

Find ways to put ideas into action.

*While these steps are presented

sequential ly, i t is common to move

back and for th between steps as

indicated in the diagram.

THE 6 STEPS OF

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING

The first step in taking action is

to identify a situation which

presents a challenge… an

opportunity… or is a concern

that you want to do something

about or is an objective you

desire to attain.

STEP 1:

OBJECTIVE (MESS) FINDING

STEP 2:

FACT FINDING

List al l the key facts associated with your

situation or your desired objective as you

perceive them. Ask yourself :

Who is involved?

What is involved?

What are some examples of the problem?

What causes the problem?

When wil l i t happen?

Where does it or wil l i t happen?

How does it or wil l i t happen?

Why does it happen?

Are there any more problems caused by the

situation?

Then ask questions per taining to what

addit ional facts you would l ike to know and

where you might search for them.

STEP 3:

PROBLEM FINDING

Considering the data you have

gathered about your situation

during Fact Finding, determine

what you want to accomplish in

more specific terms. Ask

yourself the following questions:

What is the real problem?

What is my objective?

What do I want to accomplish?

What are my concerns?

What is my challenge?

STEP 4:

IDEA FINDING

Try to answer your problem

statement with many ideas in as

many different ways as possible.

DIVERGENT THINKING, combined

with deferred judgment, is

critical in this step. Your goal is

to generate lots of ideas. It is

often helpful to set a number

goal before you start listing

ideas. Try for 50-75 ideas before

you discuss each and become

selective.

STEP 5:

SOLUTION FINDING

You must now decide what

criteria, standards, or "yardsticks"

should be applied to weigh the worth

of your selected ideas. These criteria

will be used to determine the best

solution(s) to your problem.

Your ideas affect cost, time,

reliability, quality, morale,

customers, legality, safety, company

practices and approvals, feasibility,

timeliness, and ease of

implementation. Any or all of these,

as well as others, can be

considerations for criteria.

STEP 6:

ACCEPTANCE FINDING

You are now ready to develop

your plan of action. To ensure

successful implementation of your

best idea(s), it is necessary to

gain maximum acceptance.

Remember, an idea has little

value until it is put to use.

Consider the following--How

should you alter or modify your

idea so it will be as acceptable as

possible to those it will affect and

to those who will pass judgment

on it?

DIVERGENT AND CONVERGENT

THINKING

Each of the 6 steps of Creative Problem Solving involve

divergent and convergent thinking:

Problem solvers are encouraged to think divergently

at the start of each step to develop as many ideas as

possible.

Following divergent thinking, convergent thinking is

encouraged to select the best ideas.

SAMPLE

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING TASKS

Consider how the tasks on the following slides

could be used in a classroom to teach the

thinking skills associated with Creative Problem

Solving while also allowing students to explore

and master content standards.

SAMPLE

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING TASK

You have just moved into a new house, and

you love it! Unfortunately, the house gets

extremely hot in the summer, and your air

conditioning is causing the electrical bill to

go through the roof! What should you do?

Mess Finding

Fact FindingProblem Finding

Idea FindingSolution Finding

Acceptance Finding

SAMPLE

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING TASK

You have a big assignment due today, but

right before you leave for school you see

that your little sister dropped it in the fish

tank, and it’s soaked! You used the last of

the printer ink last night and you only have

5 minutes before you have to leave for

school! What should you do?

Mess Finding

Fact FindingProblem Finding

Idea FindingSolution Finding

Acceptance Finding

SAMPLE

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING TASK

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union

attempted to take control of Berlin by

creating a blockade that prevented needed

supplies from getting to people living in

parts of Berlin controlled by the United

States, France, and England. What should

the United States do?

Mess Finding

Fact Finding

Problem Finding

Idea Finding

Solution Finding

Acceptance Finding

TOOLKIT FOR USING CREATIVE

PROBLEM SOLVING IN A CLASSROOM

http://www.roe11.k12.il.us/GES%20Stuff/Day

%204/Process/Creative%20Problem%20Solvin

g/CPS-Mitchell%20&%20Kowalik.pdf