creative thinking & problem solving

Question 1

difference between problem-solving & decision making

[done, one, senior, authoritarian] [person, senior, alternatives, best]
[problems, group, individual] [group, generate, critically]

Answer 1

PROBLEM-SOLVING:
- it’s often done by one person/ a member of senior management who makes it authoritarian
- the person/ senior management will consider various alternatives before deciding on the best one

DECISION MAKING:
- problems can be solved by a group/team or an individual team member
- the group/team will generate various solutions and then critically evaluate each one

Question 2

3 problem-solving steps (heading & 1 point)

[ I- acknowledge, before] ; [ D- name, exactly] ; [ I- decide, best]

Answer 2

IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
- acknowledge that there is a problem before it can be solved

DEFINE THE PROBLEM
- name the problem by stating exactly what the problem is

IDENTIFY ALTERNATIVES SOLUTIONS
- decide what seems to be the best solution to the problem

Question 3

application of the delphi technique

[invite, experts, research] ; [experts, one, individually]

Answer 3

• the business must invite a panel of experts to research the challenges it may face
• experts do not have to be in one place and will be contacted individually

Question 4

2 impacts of the delphi technique

[businesses, group, together] ; [expensive, administrative]

Answer 4

• businesses may use a group of experts without bringing them together
• it is an expensive technique due to high administrative costs

Question 5

application of the force-field analysis

[describe, current, desired] ; [list, forces, change] ; [allocate, numerical]

Answer 5

• describe the current situation or problem and the desired situation
• list all the driving and retraining forces that will support and resist change
• allocate a score to each force using a numerical scale, where 1 is weak and 5 is strong

Question 6

2 impacts of the force-field analysis

[employees, going] ; [requires, units]

Answer 6

• employees feel included and understand where the business is going
• requires the participation of all business units

Question 7

application of the brainstorming technique

[group, time, session] ; [members, randomly]

Answer 7

• the group must set a time limit for each brainstorming session
• all members of the group randomly make suggestions

Question 8

2 impacts of brainstorming technique

[stimulates] ; [discussion, conflict, opinion]

Answer 8

• stimulates creative thinking in the workplace
• discussion may result in conflict due to difference in opinion

Question 9

2 keywords to identify the nominal group technique

Answer 9

• smaller
• anonymous

Question 10

3 ways in which a business can create an environment that stimulates creative thinking in the workplace

[encourage, place & keep, encourage]

Answer 10

• encourage alternative ways of doing things
• place suggestion boxes around the workplace and keep communication channels open for new ideas
• encourage job swops within the organisation

Question 11

3 benefits of creative thinking in the workplace

[better, complex, improves]

Answer 11

• better solutions are generated
• complex business problems can be solved
• improves motivation amongst staff members