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CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
1. LEVEL THREE
2. DURATION 210 hours
3. SHAPE AND SCHEDULE
Lectures 26 hours
Workshops 26 hours
Private study 158 hours
240 hours
4. AIMS
• To provide an understanding of problem situations and the many factors involved.
• To develop the consultation skills necessary for problem clarification and problem acceptance.
• To develop the understanding of individual, group, organisational and societal preferences for problem solving approaches.
• To allow students to critically evaluate the contribution of techniques in a creative problem solving process
• To enhance an awareness of creativity and the importance of creativity for the individual and for organisations
• To help students appreciate their own approaches to, and learning from, problem solving.
5. OBJECTIVES
On completion of this module the student should be able to:
• Recognise and assess the complexity of problem situations and give examples of such complexity;
• Describe and evaluate the barriers to problem movement;
• Describe and assess a range of problem solving approaches and perspectives;
• Define and redefine a problem in different ways;
• Effectively use a number of techniques to generate ideas, evaluate options and support implementation approaches;
• Evidence creativity;
• Self-reflect on personal problem solving skills.
6. PRE-REQUISITE MODULES
None
7. EXCLUDED MODULES
None.
8. SYLLABUS/STUDY CONTENT
8.1 Creativity
i. Some definitions and theories
ii. Importance to the individual and the organisation
iii. Barriers to creativity
iv. ‘Self ‘ as a problem solver
8.2 The problem situation
i. Perspectives on the problem situation
ii. Fact finding
iii. Stakeholders and problem ownership
iv. Mapping and other techniques
8.3 Problem definition and redefinition
i. Problem statement and restatement
ii. The use of techniques (e.g. Why, 5WsH, Laddering, Goal Orientation, Boundary Examination, Progressive Abstraction)
8.4 Idea generation i. Brainstorming and variants
ii. Morphological analysis and related techniques
iii. Lateral thinking and associated methods
iv. Synectics
v. Imagery, visualisation and drama#p#分页标题#e#
vi. Miscellaneous ideation techniques (e.g. clichés, proverbs, scenario day-dreaming, free association, Lotus blossom, symbolic representation)
8.5 Evaluation and implementation
i. Current wisdom
ii. The use of techniques
Iii. Evidence of problem movement
8.6 The problem solving process – a reflection
i. ‘Self ‘ as a problem solver and problem manager
ii. Creativity for the individual and organisation
9. INDICATIVE READING
Essential Reading
T. Proctor Creative Problem Solving for Managers Routlege 1999
A.B. Van Gundy, Jr Techniques of Structured Problem Solving, Second Edition Van Nostrand Reinhold1988
Recommended Reading
J. Bryant Problem Management: A guide for producers and players Wiley
J. Henry (ed)
Creative Management Sage
M.J. Hicks Problem Solving in Business and Management Chapman and Hall
T. Proctor
The Essence of Management Creativity Prentice Hall
T. Rickards
Creativity and Problem Solving at Work Gower
10. ASSESSMENT
Group report (problem definition and redefinition)
of no more than 3000 words 20%
Group portfolio (the generation of ideas)
of no more than 5000 words 30%
Individual report (the individual and the problem solving process)
of no more than 5000 words 50%
11. TEACHING AND LEARNING METHODS
Lectures will be used to introduce a sequence of topics and concepts that develop an understanding of the creative problem solving process. It is expected that students will also do the necessary supportive reading from an essential text like ‘Creative Problem Solving for Managers’ by T. Proctor.
Students will work in self-facilitating groups to explore problem situations, to generate ideas and move a problem forward. Workshop time will be used to accommodate tutor contact and allow tutors present certain topic areas in more depth (e.g. the use of personality questionnaires, the use of creativity techniques).
12. ANALYSIS OF THE STUDENTS’ TIME
8.1 Creativity 10%
8.2 The problem situation 10%
8.3 Problem definition and redefinition 20%
8.4 Idea generation 30%
8.5 Evaluation and implementation 20%
8.6 The problem solving process – a reflection 10%
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