Creative thinking and problem Solving

Question 1

1) The meaning of creative thinking.

Answer 1

The ability to think original, varied and innovative ideas.

Question 2

1.1) 3 profound advantages of creative thinking in the workplace.

Answer 2

1 - Managers can come up with creative strategies for the business.

2 - Leads to the development of better methods of production to save on costs.

3 - Creative public relation strategies can be designed and implemented.

Question 3

1.2) 3 profound ways businesses can use creative thinking to generate entrepreneurial opportunities.

Answer 3

1 - Create a new market for new products.

2 - Design environments that stimulate creative thinking.

3 - Continously improve products and stay ahead of the competition.

Question 4

1.3) 3 profound ways businesses can use creative thinking to solve business problems.

Answer 4

1 - Give feedback on employees’ performance.

2 - Encourage a spirit of play and experimentation in the workplace.

3 - Train employees on creative thinking and problem solving techniques.

Question 5

2) Definition of problem solving.

Answer 5

Ability to search for and find information relating to a problem.

Question 6

2.1) Diff between decision making and problem solving.

Answer 6

D = Decision making. 
P = Problem solving. 

D

• Done by 1 person.
• Existing alternatives are considered.
• Does not form part of problem solving.

P

• Done by a group.
• Encourages creative thinking.
• Solutions are generated, implemented and evaluated.

Question 7

2.3) Problem solving cycle.

Answer 7

1 - Identify the problem.
2 - Define the problem.
3 - Formulate a strategy.
4 - Choose the best strategy.
5 - Allocate the resources.
6 - Implement the strategy.
7 - Monitor the problem solving.
8 - Evaluate the problem solving process.

Question 8

2.4.8) SCAMPER problem solving technique.

• Explain what it is.
• Explain the application.

Answer 8

Each letter stands for a way to change an existing product or service.

SCAMPER

Substitute - replace part of the problem for something new.

Combine - arrange parts of the problem to cancel out the problem.

Adapt - adapt existing solutions to solve the current problem.

Modify - see if the problem can be adjusted.

Put to other use - use part of the problem for something else.

Eliminate - get rid of parts of the problem.

Rearrange - rearrange the problem so that it can be seen differently.

Question 9

2.4.3) Force field analysis.

• Explain what it is.
• 3 special points of application for option 1 and 2.

Answer 9

Option 1

Aimed at facilitating change in the business.

• Explain reasons and benefits of change.
• Ensure everyone understands how change will affect them.
• Don’t make any more changes in the organization for a while so that employees get used to the changes.

• List all forces in support of the change in 1 column.
• Assign a score for each from 1 -> 5.
• Determine if change is viable. If not check which resisting forces can be avoided.

Question 10

2.4.1) Nominal group technique.

• Explain what it is.
• Explain the application.

Answer 10

Application

Used to avoid disadvantages of group discussions because there are always a dominant minority in a group.

• The group is divided into a smaller group.
• Each individual silently brainstorms ideas and writes them down.
• Each person gives all their solutions and someone writes them all down on a big sheet of paper.