Creative Thinking Flashcards

1
Q

What is creative thinking

A

The process we use to come up with new ideas

Creative thinkers are usually ahead of technological changes in order to gain a competitive edge

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2
Q

Creative thinking is used to

A

Devon new products
Improve the quality of goods and services
Challenge assumptions and change perceptions
Generate alternative solutions
Solve problems or conflicts in the workplace & encourage teamwork
Improve customer satisfaction

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3
Q

Routine thinking

A

Doing the same thing and expecting different results
No new ideas
Thinking that we have always done it that way so why change it

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4
Q

Creative thinking

A

Lateral thinking
Solve problems through reasoning
Fining solutions that are not obvious

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5
Q

In order to work with others and solve problems it requires

A

Co operation
Communication
Respect
Synergy

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6
Q

Synergy

A

When people work together to achieve results that they would not be able to achieve on their own

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7
Q

Conventional problem solving

A

Ways problems are usually solved

They lack originality and imagination

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8
Q

Unconventional problem solving

A

Thinking out the box

Solving problem in unique illogical ways and used indigenous knowledge

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9
Q

Problem solving

A

This is the process that evaluates alternatives and uses research to solve a problem

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10
Q

Decision making

A

The practice of considering already existing alternatives and deciding which one is the best solution

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11
Q

Steps in problem solving

A
  1. Identify the problem
  2. Define the problem
  3. Identify alternatives
  4. Evaluate alternatives
  5. Chose the best alternative
  6. Implement the decision
  7. Monitor the decision
  8. Evaluate the decision
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12
Q

Benefits of creative thinking in the workplace

A
  • improves quality of solutions to business problems
  • stimulates profitable new ideas for products, marketing campaigns and public relationships
  • motivates workers and improves their skills
  • improves productivity and profitability
  • creates a market space for new products
  • improves quality of life of the consumers
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13
Q

Creating an environment that promotes creative thinking

A
  • encourage experimentation
  • give positive feedback on ideas workers share
  • provide opportunities for creative problem solving
  • encourage employees to have a group problem solving session
  • training staff in creative thinking and problem solving techniques
  • recognizing and rewarding achievements
  • allowing employees to express their ideas and take risks in a safe environment
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14
Q

Creative thinking barriers

A
  • negative attitudes
  • dont think you are creative enough
  • fear of failure
  • excessive stress
  • following the rules
  • over reliance on logic
  • mental blocks
  • preconceived ideas about what is right
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15
Q

Different types of mental blocks

A
Perceptual blocks 
Internal blocks
Cultural blocks 
Intellectual or expressive blocks 
Environmental blocks
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16
Q

Perceptual blocks

A

Blocks which stop you from seeing the problem straight

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17
Q

Internal blocks

A

Blocks ruled by emotions or fears they come from with inside of you

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18
Q

Cultural blocks

A

Blocks that imply you don’t want to go against your culture or traditional beliefs

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19
Q

Intellectual or expressive

A

Blocks where you cant communicate the problem

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20
Q

Environmental blocks

A

Blocks that include your physical value and social environment around you

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21
Q

The different creative thinking techniques

A
Mind mapping
Scamper 
Delphi technique 
Force field analysis 
Brainstorming 
Nominal group technique
Forced combination
Empty chair 
Thinking hats
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22
Q

Mind mapping

A

They are diagrams the represent ideas or concepts and are useful for generating ideas and problem solving…..

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23
Q

Mind mapping process

A

Decide on a central topic
Break central topic down into main ideas
Put the main ideas on branches and then break them down even further

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24
Q

Advantages of mind mapping

A

Easy to generate
Easy to remember
Stimulate the brain

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25
Q

Disadvantaged to mind mapping

A

Can become chaotic and messy for some people and can be complicated

26
Q

The Delphi technique

A

A common tool used when you want an experts opinion on a specific topic and also used by management to reach a consensus on a topic

27
Q

Delphi technique process

A

Panel of anonymous experts are invited
They each fill out a specific question anonymously
The response of each member are evaluated at central places and shared, som people may change their views
If a solution is not found a second question are will be sent out based on the results of the last one
The results will be evaluated again and this process may be repeated a few times until a solution is reached
The exerts opinions are usually combined and averaged and a final feedback report is made based on the results

28
Q

Advantages of Delphi

A

Experts give anonymous options

More creative

29
Q

Disadvantages of Delphi

A

Suggestions may be very different and make it hard t reach a consensus

30
Q

Force field analysis

A

FFA is a tool used to weigh up the pros and cons for a topic

31
Q

Process of FFA

A

Write the proposal in the center and then draw 2 columns
List all the forces against on the left
List all the forces for on the right
Then give each one a score from 1-5 with 5 being the strongest
Add up the total scores and weigh up the positives and negatives
Decide using a score if the proposal is viable or not

32
Q

Advantaged of FFA

A

More people feel included

People develop and grow

33
Q

Disadvantages of FFA

A

Time consuming

Requires participation from all business units

34
Q

Brainstorming

A

It is a useful way to generate ideas quickly and good for teamwork

35
Q

Points to remember when brain storming

A
Don't criticize any ideas
Dont judge any ideas before evaluation time 
Generate as many ideas as possible 
Combine or expand on some ideas
You can use SCAMPER to modify some ideas
36
Q

Process of brainstorming

A

Define the problem
Write down ALL thoughts on it
Combine the similar ideas
Put a sheet up so everyone can see and take each idea and let the advantaged and disadvantages of each one
Evaluate which idea and chase the best one.. sometimes a vote is used

37
Q

Advantages of brainstorming

A

Stimulates creative thinking

38
Q

Disadvantages of brainstorming

A

One strong member may dominate

Shy members don’t contribute

39
Q

Nominal group method process

A

Everyone in a group gets an anonymous card and has to write their options on them
The cards are collected and then redistributed
Each member then reads out the card which normally sparks a discussion

40
Q

When is normal group method useful

A

When you have a shy group of people
When its a new group who don’t yet know each other
Stops the dominant people from taking over

41
Q

Advantages of nominal method

A

All members participate

Votes are anonymous and therefore more honest

42
Q

Disadvantages of normal method

A

Ideas may not converge

Suggestions may not be as creative as when a group throws ideas around

43
Q

SCAMPER

A

This is best for trying to improve products or thinking of new ideas for products

44
Q

Process of Scamper

A

S- substitute.. replace part of the problem with something new
C-combine.. arrange parts of the problem in a creative way to cancel out the problem
A-adapt.. look at the existing solution and adapt it to solve your current problem
M-modify.. change the situation or distort the problem
P-put to other uses.. use part of the product for something else
E-eliminate.. try to get rid of some parts of the product
R-rearrange.. push the idea around and rearrange it to help you think differently so that you can come up with creative ways

45
Q

Advantages of SCAMPER

A

Helps generate differs ideas

Stimulates objectivity

46
Q

Disadvantages of scamper

A

Quite complex
Not suitable for all groups
Time consuming

47
Q

Forced combinations

A

Helps look at existing ideas in new combinations

Generates creative ideas by mixing existing ones

48
Q

Process of forced combination

A

In a group define the problem
Brainstorm key words to do with the problem
Write the keywords on small peoples of paper and stick them on the wall
Combine words to make new combinations
Try come up with ideas from those combinations
Be adventurous and play wth words
Select the best idea and use it to create a strategy

49
Q

Advantages of forced combinations

A

Stimulates creativity

Allows people to thin outside the box

50
Q

Disadvantages of forced combinations

A

People can feel inhibited

Ideas can become wild

51
Q

Empty chair technique

A

This is a method used when there are feelings or emotions that have been bothering an employee
Used to make a decision on your own
A mediator can be called to help with the process

52
Q

Process of empty chair technique

A

Place an empty chair 2 meters away from you
Pretend to voice all your opinions, feelings or frustrations to it
You can ask a mediation to help record your problems so you can reflect on them
Once this is complete the employee should feel less angry and emotional and may have a more structured view

53
Q

Advantages of empty chair

A

Helps to clarify the problem you understand
Solutions must be justified
Stimulates your thinking

54
Q

Disadvantages of empty chair

A

Limits creativity

Only one persons view is applied

55
Q

The thinking hats

A

It is when a problem is viewed from 6 different viewpoints and each color hat represents a different one…. each team member gives their input based on the color hat

56
Q

Whit hat

A

Info available

All the facts and data that you have

57
Q

Red hat

A

Your gut emotions and feelings

58
Q

Black hat

A

Pessimistic view, all the risks, weaknesses worst case thinking

59
Q

Yellow hat

A

Positive thinking, benefits, opertunities

60
Q

Green hat

A

Creative ideas, alternatives and other possible outcomes

61
Q

Blue hat

A

Your control hat

It gives a summary and an overview you use it to decide