The key elements of problem-solving

INTRODUCTION

This lesson will present the concept of problem-solving in the creative process. Without a problem to be solved, creativity will not be needed.

To practice creative problem-solving, three things are needed: purpose, restriction, and motivation.

OBJECTIVES

• Understand that any problem will have a purpose. The purpose will play a significant role in the creativity needed to solve it.
• Explore the quality of the definition of the problem and the restrictions for creating relevant and novel solutions
• Encourage the development of problem-solving habits to enhance motivation to act in the creative process 

PURPOSE: A PROBLEM TO SOLVE

Purpose equals problem. Without a problem to be solved, you cannot be creative.

This is the fundamental difference between creativity and artistry. If a painter paints a beautiful painting, he/she is creating art, but he/she is not creative unless he/she solves some form of problem.

There are many ways to solve a problem. Some came very instantly, and other solutions are less noticeable. Regardless of the manner in which a problem can be solved, the common trait is the problem itself, it provides purpose. The purpose or problem to solve plays a significant role in your ability to find creative solutions.

A well-designed problem can be the difference between creative solutions or expected solutions, but learning to broaden or sharpen the scope of a problem can add or subtract purpose, and consequently, create a possibility.

When the problem is more complex, it is also greater the opportunity for creative solutions. By altering the purpose, we enhance the potential for creativity.

RESTRICTIONS TO OVERCOME

We established that the first requirement of creative training is purpose. A problem has to be solved. But that purpose is not helpful if there aren’t obstacles to overcome. There must be restrictions for creativity to be needed.

Initially, everyone complains of having restrictions such as lacking creative insight, having a small budget, or a tight timeline. But, as we saw before, restrictions are essential for enhancing creativity in the output. If we have more restrictions, the opportunity to be more creative is higher.

Along with the increased restrictions is an increased opportunity to develop a creative solution. The more complicated the problem, the more creative the solution will be.

One of the hardest things a creative person must do is to insert restrictions where little exist. If the goal is obtaining creative solutions, there must have obstacles to overcome. If a project is not restrictive enough, it is imperative to add more restrictions. If there is more time or resources than you need, we have to reduce them.

Once there is a problem to solve, and reasonable restrictions are in place, the next step is acting.

ACTION - MOTIVATION

If we want to enhance creativity and resolve problems with relevance and novelty, we need to develop the habit of resolving creative problems in our daily lives.

Make Creative problem-solving a habit. Problem-solving is trained by repetition, the same as habits.

Bad creative habits are formed by continual apathy by ignoring healthy processes and letting things happen.

Good creative habits are formed by constantly seeking for problems, then devising a plan, and then implementing it.

We have to develop a habit of seeking out and solve problems with relevance and novelty. To train creativity, we have to understand two key points.

• The problems do not have to be big. As a matter of fact, smaller problems make better training tools because they can generate multiple solutions in small amounts of time.

• The problems to solve are better to be in a different medium than their work.

The brain doesn't know the difference between solving a design problem, a word problem, or a photography problem. It only knows that there is an obstacle to overcome.

The quality of the idea is a different discipline. It actually helps to solve problems outside of your core competency mediums because one is less likely to get hung up on the quality of the execution and can focus more on the quality of the idea. When looking for problems, the best are those that allow us to produce several solutions. They instill this quality of being able to create multiple ideas, document those ideas, and move onto what is next.

Choose problems that will pull out the need for novelty, presenting opportunities to think beyond the low-hanging fruit. As we improve, let us challenge with more challenging problems. Add more restrictions or look for problems farther outside of our core competencies that will require more research and additional learning.

These steps will instill the habit of creative problem-solving in one's life and ensure exercising and flexing the creative muscles.

CONCLUSIONS

Every problem has a purpose. The purpose itself, and the quality of the definition of the problem, play a significant role in the ability to find creative solutions.

The more difficult the problem is, and the more restrictions to overcome are defined, the greater is the opportunity to resolve it with a novel solution. Setting restrictions to the problem increase the creativity in the outcome.

To enhance creativity and resolve problems with relevance and novelty, we have to develop the habit to resolve creatively problems in our daily lives.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Courseware (2019) Creativity: Thinking out of the box. Courseware.com

Gray, D.; Brown, S,; Macanufo, J. (2010) Gamesorming. A playbook for innovators, Rulebreakers, and changemakers. O’Reilly Media Eds.

Mumaw, S. (2020) Creativity. Generate Ideas in Greater quantity and Quality. LinkedIn Learning.

Seelig, T. (2017) Creativity Rules. Get Ideas Out of your head and into the world. HarperOne Eds.

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