Creative Problem Solving

Creative Problem Solving is a proven method for approaching a problem or a challenge in an imaginative and innovative way. It’s a tool that helps people re-define the problems they face, come up with breakthrough ideas and then take action on these new ideas.

Most of the times, when we face a problem, first thing that comes to mind is how difficult will it be to solve the problem? Thus we make an assumption that the solution would be very tough to find out. The mantra for creative problem solving is to free our mind from all the inhibitions and be innovative and creative.

Process Stage	Steps
Explore The Stage	Objective Finding (identify the goal, wish or challenge)
	Fact Finding (gather the relevant data)
	Problem Finding (clarify the problems that need to be solved in order to achieve the goal)
Generate Ideas	Idea Finding (generate ideas to solve the identified problem)
Prepare for action	Solution Finding (move from idea to implementable solution)
	Acceptance Finding (plan for action)

Process Diagram

To explain the concept of creative problem solving, our professor took us to the terrace and asked us to find the solution to the problem there.

Stage 1: Explore The Stage

After looking around on the terrace, we found a strange looking thing hanging from the ceiling. The task was to remove the ring from that assemble and put it back again.

Stage 2: Generate Ideas

After identifying the problem, we all started thinking about the solution. Some students thought of removing the entire assembly and then dissemble it thus removing the ring. There were different suggestions from different students.

Stage 3: Prepare for action

After getting suggestions and ideas of different students, we started looking for best solution. This was actually not suggested because nobody thought it would be so simple to remove the ring and then put it back in assembly.

Steps to remove the ring:

1)      Raise the ring as high as it would go and hold it there.

2)      Move one of the wooden squares to the other side by passing it through the slit in the top part.

3)      Bring both the squares together by moving the thread.

4)      One of the balls will still remain stuck after its square block is taken to other side.

5)      Lower the ring, tilt it and remove through the slit and the ball.

To put the ring back in assemble:

1)      Pass the ball through the ring.

2)      Tilt the ring and pass it through the slit.

3)      Pull the ring up above the slit.

4)      Remove the wooden plank, hanging on the same side of the other one but not having a ball along with it, through the slit.

5)      Let go of the ring.

This is how we resolved the problem. The point here was not only to solve the problem but to learn how to do it. People thought of different ideas, but nobody thought it could be done in such a creative and simple way.