This document provides an overview of creative thinking techniques. It discusses critical thinking versus creative thinking, with creative thinking focusing on exploring ideas and finding multiple solutions rather than just one. Common creative thinking techniques are then outlined, including brainstorming, idea generating questions, checklists, and block busting techniques. Brainstorming guidelines emphasize suspending judgment, thinking freely, and building on others' ideas. The document also addresses characteristics of creative people and attitudes that can block creativity.

1. Business Plan
23/10/2009
Colin GODEFROY
Nadia LASFAR

2. Summary
I. Critical Thinking
II. Creative Thinking
III. Creative Methods
IV. Creative Thinking Techniques
V. Brainstorming
VI. Ideas Generating Questions
VII. Checklists
VIII. Block Busting Techniques

3. Life isn’t about
finding yourself.
Life is about
creating
yourself.
(unkown)

4. Look at problems from a fresh perspective to find
unorthodox solutions

5. ?
There are six eggs in the basket.
Six people each take one of the eggs.
How can it be that one egg is left in the basket?

6. Critical Thinking
What we learnt in formal education
Emphasizes the skills of analysis
Follow a logical argument
Eliminate the incorrect paths
and focus on the correct one.

7. When is it useful to be creative?
Businesses are facing deep
changes
Globalization EVERYWHERE
Competition EVERYWHEN
➔ Key to the success of a business

8. Creative Thinking
Developped by Edward de Bono
in his book «The Mechanism of Mind»
Focuses on exploring ideas,
Generates possibilities,
Looks for many right answers
rather than just one.

9. Creativity
Everyone has substantial
creative ability.
An Ability: To generate new ideas by combining, changing,
or reapplying existing ideas.
An Attitude: The ability to accept change
A Process: The creative person knows that there is always
room for improvement.

10. Characteristics of the
Creative Person
curious
seeks problems
enjoys challenge
optimistic
able to suspend judgment
imaginative
sees problems as opportunities
doesn't give up easily

11. Creative Methods

12. Evolution
Every problem that has been solved can be
solved again in a better way.

13. Synthesis
Two or more existing ideas are combined into a
third, new idea.
+ =

14. Revolution
Sometimes the best new idea is a completely
different one.
≠

15. Reapplication
Look at something old in a new way.

16. Changing Direction
The goal is to solve the problem,
not to implement a particular solution.

17. Negatives attitudes
that block creativity
Oh no, a problem!
It can't be done.
I can't do it.
But I'm not creative.
What will people think?
I might fail.

18. But remember...
There is never one good solution...
There are always solutions.

19. Creative Thinking
TECHNIQUES

20. Brainstorming
Idea Generating Questions
Checklists

21. Brainstorming
Basic Guidenlines
Suspend judgment:
This is the most important rule.
No critical comments are allowed.
Evaluation is to be reserved for later.
Think Freely
Practical ideas often come from impractical,
impossible ones.
Some "wild" ideas turn out to be practical, too.
Tag On
Improve, modify, build on the ideas of others.
Quantities of ideas is important Alex Osborn
Generate a large stock of ideas so that later they
can be sifted through.

22. Practical Methodology
Choose a recorder
Organize the chaos
Keep the session relaxed and playful.
Limit the session.
Variations:
Stop and Go.
Sequencing.

23. Ideas Generating
Questions
The Journalistic Six Historical Examination
Who? (Actor or Agent) Essence.
What? (Act) Origin.
When? (Time or Timing) Purpose.
Where? (Scene or Source) Import
Why? (Purpose) Reputation.
How? (Agency or Method)

24. Checklists
The Five Senses
Human Needs
Aristotle's Categories
Physical Attributes

25. Block Busting
Techniques
Uses For
Improvements to
What-Iffing
Attribute Analysis
Morphological Analysis
Manipulative Verbs
Reversal.
Analogy and Metaphor.
Trigger Concepts.

26. Are you a creative
thinker ?
?
There are six eggs in the basket.
Six people each take one of the eggs.
How can it be that one egg is left in the basket?

27. Are you a creative
thinker?
!
The last person took the basket with the last egg
still inside!

29. Sources
http://www.creativethinking.net/
http://www.virtualsalt.com/crebook1.htm
http://managementhelp.org/crt_inov/creative/creative.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity
http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic69.htm
http://www.brainstorming.co.uk/tutorials/creativethinking.html
http://www.creativethink.com/
http://www.ideachampions.com/creative_thinking.shtml

30. Thank you
for your attention