CHAPTER 4
CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
CREATIVE THINKING
MEANING
Creative thinking is the ability to think of original and innovative ideas – it focuses on exploring ideas and
generating possibilities by looking at multiple answers for problems
ADVANTAGES
• Complex business problems may be solved
• Improves motivation amongst staff members
• Better and unique or unconventional solutions are generated
• Management and employees may keep up with fast changing technology
• Creativity may lead to new inventions – improve general standard of living
WAYS TO CREATE A CREATIVE THINKING ENVIRONMENT
- Encourage staff to come up with new ideas, options or solutions
- Respond enthusiastically to all ideas – never let anyone feel less important
- Place suggestion boxes around the workplace - and keep communication channels open for new ideas
- Encourage job swops within organization – or studying how other businesses are doing it
PROBLEM SOLVING
MEANING of PROBLEM SOLVING
Problem solving is the process of analyzing a situation to identify strategies used to change the situation requiring
creative thinking – it is a mental process that involves a problem shaping ability to break-down a problem in such a
way that a clear solution can be found
MEANING of DECISION MAKING
A choice made by using one’s judgment – finding a solution by choosing best choice for the course of action
DECISION MAKING PROBLEM SOLVING
- Often done by 1 person or member of senior - Can be solved by a group/ team or individual
management who makes the authorization member
- Various alternatives are considered before - Alternatives solutions are identified and critically
deciding the best evaluated
- It forms part of the problem-solving cycle as - Process of analyzing a situation is to identify
decisions need to be made in each step strategies to bring change
PROBLEM-SOLVING STEPS
1. Identify problem (acknowledge there is a problem – and identify them and break down into smaller parts)
1. Define problem (name by stating exactly what it is – define causes and precise nature of the problem)
2. Identify possible solutions (use creative thinking to generate a large range of solutions)
• Identify as many solutions as possible – find the best strategy to follow
3. Select most appropriate alternative (use critical evaluation – set criteria for best solution)
• Best solution must match size and resources of the business
4. Develop action plan (arrange necessary resources- Establish timeline and deadline for implementation)
5. Implement the action plan (carry out planned actions and solutions - Communicate tasks/set deadlines)
6. Evaluate action plan (assess whether problem has been solved entirely)
• Monitor and test the solution and action plan continuously
CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
CREATIVE THINKING
MEANING
Creative thinking is the ability to think of original and innovative ideas – it focuses on exploring ideas and
generating possibilities by looking at multiple answers for problems
ADVANTAGES
• Complex business problems may be solved
• Improves motivation amongst staff members
• Better and unique or unconventional solutions are generated
• Management and employees may keep up with fast changing technology
• Creativity may lead to new inventions – improve general standard of living
WAYS TO CREATE A CREATIVE THINKING ENVIRONMENT
- Encourage staff to come up with new ideas, options or solutions
- Respond enthusiastically to all ideas – never let anyone feel less important
- Place suggestion boxes around the workplace - and keep communication channels open for new ideas
- Encourage job swops within organization – or studying how other businesses are doing it
PROBLEM SOLVING
MEANING of PROBLEM SOLVING
Problem solving is the process of analyzing a situation to identify strategies used to change the situation requiring
creative thinking – it is a mental process that involves a problem shaping ability to break-down a problem in such a
way that a clear solution can be found
MEANING of DECISION MAKING
A choice made by using one’s judgment – finding a solution by choosing best choice for the course of action
DECISION MAKING PROBLEM SOLVING
- Often done by 1 person or member of senior - Can be solved by a group/ team or individual
management who makes the authorization member
- Various alternatives are considered before - Alternatives solutions are identified and critically
deciding the best evaluated
- It forms part of the problem-solving cycle as - Process of analyzing a situation is to identify
decisions need to be made in each step strategies to bring change
PROBLEM-SOLVING STEPS
1. Identify problem (acknowledge there is a problem – and identify them and break down into smaller parts)
1. Define problem (name by stating exactly what it is – define causes and precise nature of the problem)
2. Identify possible solutions (use creative thinking to generate a large range of solutions)
• Identify as many solutions as possible – find the best strategy to follow
3. Select most appropriate alternative (use critical evaluation – set criteria for best solution)
• Best solution must match size and resources of the business
4. Develop action plan (arrange necessary resources- Establish timeline and deadline for implementation)
5. Implement the action plan (carry out planned actions and solutions - Communicate tasks/set deadlines)
6. Evaluate action plan (assess whether problem has been solved entirely)
• Monitor and test the solution and action plan continuously
