Powerful Creative Thinking & Problem Solving

About the Course

This 5-day intensive Powerful Creative Thinking & Problem Solving training course will equip delegates with practical tools, strategies, and mindsets for unlocking creativity and effectively tackling challenges through innovative problem-solving approaches. Delegates will explore the principles of creative thinking, the characteristics that define creative individuals, and the benefits of fostering a creative mindset. They will learn to overcome mental blocks that inhibit creativity and discover techniques to stimulate imagination and visualisation skills. It emphasizes divergent thinking to generate many ideas and convergent thinking to evaluate and implement the most promising solutions. Delegates will gain a comprehensive understanding of the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) process, along with tools like mind mapping, SCAMPER, and prototyping, which are pivotal in transforming creative ideas into actionable strategies.

It provides advanced strategies such as Design Thinking, which focuses on empathising with users, defining problems, and iterating solutions through rapid prototyping and feedback cycles. Delegates will explore how Design Thinking can be applied across various domains, from product development to service innovation, fostering a human-centered approach to problem-solving. It also introduces the concept of lateral thinking, encouraging delegates to cultivate cognitive flexibility and challenge conventional thought patterns through techniques like Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats and provocative thinking methods.

Delegates will enhance their individual creative capabilities and contribute to fostering a culture of innovation within their organisations. They will have the knowledge and skills to lead and collaborate to generate innovative solutions to complex challenges, ensuring sustained success and growth in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

Core Objectives

By the end of the training course, delegates will be able to:

• Develop and enhance their creative thinking abilities by exploring techniques to overcome mental barriers
• Master the techniques through the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) process and related methodologies such as Design Thinking and lateral thinking
• Gain proficiency in using tools such as mind mapping, SCAMPER, prototyping, and Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats to facilitate idea generation, refine concepts, and navigate through iterative cycles of improvement
• Equip with the skills to foster a culture of innovation within their teams and organisations
• Promote cross-functional collaboration, encourage diverse perspectives, and integrate feedback loops for continuous improvement and innovation
• Develop adaptive problem-solving skills essential for navigating dynamic and uncertain environments

Training Approach

This training course incorporates interactive workshops and hands-on exercises to engage participants actively. Through a blend of lectures, group discussions, case studies, and practical applications of creative techniques, delegates will deepen their understanding and proficiency in applying creative problem-solving strategies in real-world scenarios. This approach ensures experiential learning, enabling delegates to transfer insights and skills gained into their professional practices immediately.

The Attendees

This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals. However, it will greatly benefit those who will be undertaking a role that involves creative thinking to solve problems and make decisions.

Likewise, it will be valuable to the professionals but not limited to the following:

• Middle Managers and Team Leaders
• Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
• Project Managers
• Consultants
• Healthcare Professionals
• Technology Leaders and IT Professionals
• Government and Nonprofit Leaders
• Legal and Compliance Professionals
• Professionals in Creative fields such as design, marketing, and advertising aim to enhance their creative thinking skills and apply structured problem-solving approaches

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: FOUNDATIONS OF CREATIVE THINKING

• Understanding Creative Thinking
• Characteristics of Creative Thinkers
• Benefits of Creative Thinking in Problem Solving
• Types of Creative Thinking: Divergent and Convergent
• Overcoming Mental Blocks to Creativity
• Techniques for Stimulating Creative Thinking
• The Role of Curiosity and Exploration
• Cultivating a Creative Mindset
• Enhancing Imagination and Visualisation Skills
• Assessing Your Current Creative Thinking Abilities

DAY TWO: TOOLS FOR CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING

• Introduction to Creative Problem Solving (CPS)
• CPS Process:
  • Define the Problem
  • Generate Ideas (Brainstorming)
  • Evaluate and Select Ideas
  • Implement Solutions
• Techniques for Generating Innovative Ideas
• Mind Mapping and Idea Mapping
• SCAMPER Technique for Idea Development
• Role of Prototyping in Creative Problem Solving
• Iterative Refinement and Feedback Mechanisms

DAY THREE: STRATEGIES FOR INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

• Design Thinking Principles
• Empathising with Users and Stakeholders
• Defining Problems with a Human-Centered Approach
• Ideation Techniques in Design Thinking
• Prototyping and Testing Ideas
• Iterative Refinement in Design Thinking
• Applying Design Thinking to Business Challenges
• Using Design Thinking in Product Development
• Design Thinking for Service Innovation
• Scaling Design Thinking across Organisations

DAY FOUR: COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY AND LATERAL THINKING

• Introduction to Lateral Thinking
• Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats
• The Role of Provocation in Lateral Thinking
• Using Random Stimuli for Idea Generation
• Applying Lateral Thinking to Complex Problems
• Improving Cognitive Flexibility
• Techniques for Breaking Mental Patterns
• Cross-Pollination of Ideas from Different Fields
• Enhancing Adaptive Thinking Skills
• Practicing Divergent and Convergent Thinking

DAY FIVE: NURTURING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION

• Creating an Environment Conducive to Innovation
• Leadership's Role in Fostering Innovation
• Building Cross-functional Collaborations
• Encouraging Risk-Taking and Experimentation
• Supporting Failure as a Learning Opportunity
• Using Technology to Enhance Innovation
• Measuring Innovation Success Metrics
• Implementing Feedback Loops for Continuous Improvement
• Promoting Diversity of Thought and Inclusion
• Sustaining Innovation Over the Long Term