The document provides an overview of creative thinking tools and techniques that can be used to maximize creative skill development. It discusses warm-up exercises to open thinking, as well as divergent thinking tools like brainstorming, forced relationships, idea grids, and morphological grids. Convergent thinking tools are also presented, such as SCAMPER, checklisting, value grids, and PCP analysis for evaluating ideas. The goal is to learn, use, and create with these different creative thinking tools.

1. Yes You Can Use A Hammer for More Than Pounding in Nails: Maximizing your Creative Skill Development Toolset

2. Robert Alan Black, Ph.D., CSP

4. Skills of Productive Leading

5. I do this through Keynote speeches, Workshops, Training Programs, & Consulting.

6. http://www.cre8ng.com

7. Let s Begin ’ !

8. The Whole Box Who What Where When Why How ?

9. The Whole Box Which Paradigm for 2010? Breaking the Box Warming UP for Creativity Negatives of Creativity & Innovation Who Might Be Creative? Are You Creative? How Creative Are You? How to Be Creative? Creative Tools & Techniques When? Where?

10. Chapter 1

11. Chapter 1 Which Paradigm for 2010? Breaking the Box Warming UP for Creativity

12. Paradigm 2010 a. If it ain’t broke.....leave it alone. b. If it ain’t broke….break it. c. Better fix it before it breaks d. Keep using it until it breaks

14. What Some Corps Do…

15. What Some Corps Do… Discovered thru 30+ years of Exploration and Observation

16. % Of Profit 15% Rule Creativity or Idea Clubs Company Books (Dupont) Contests Creativity/Innovation Newsletters - Print/Electronic Creativity/Innovation Rooms Groups---Oz Group Guest Speakers Idea Meetings Idea Systems In-House Training Innovation Fairs Libraries Management Support Newsletters - External Posters Problem Solving Teams Rebel Groups-Unofficial Retreats Rewards & Reward Systems Seminars Support Conference Attendance Training Programs Workshops What Some Corps Do…

17. % Of Profit 15% Rule Creativity or Idea Clubs Company Books (Dupont) Contests Creativity/Innovation Newsletters - Print/Electronic Creativity/Innovation Rooms Groups---Oz Group Guest Speakers Idea Meetings Idea Systems In-House Training Innovation Fairs Libraries Management Support Newsletters - External Posters Problem Solving Teams Rebel Groups-Unofficial Retreats Rewards & Reward Systems Seminars Support Conference Attendance Training Programs Workshops What Some Corps Do… None do it Systematically or Throughout or for more than 18 months

18. What Might I/We Do…

19. What Might I/We Do… Learn, Use, Create, Creative Thinking Tools!

20. Creative Thinking Tools

21. Types of Tools

22. Warm-up to Create

23. O T T F F _ _ What might the next two letters be?

24. Connect these 9 dots w/ 4 or less straight lines…

26. Classic Answer

27. One or NO “straight lines” A wide crayon Pour paint on it Spray paint on it Squash paper up Line around world Dip in can of paint Cut dots out & line up Spiral from center out Wide paint roller/brush Fold drawing until overlap Write in cursive “4 straight lines” 3 lines Possible Solutions

28. Breaking Paradigms or simply Re-examining Re-stating Re-inventing the problem. Quickest way to Create or Innovate?

29. Cre 8 v W A R M - U P S

30. Cre 8 v W A R M - U P S Window Roof top Envelope 4 triangles Symbol for duct Top of a pyramid “ x” marks the spot Under side of pyramid Close up view of fence Tent Logo Game board Ceiling light 4 arrow heads Decorated box Display shelf unit 2 overlapping triangles …… .?????????

31. Cre 8 v W A R M - U P S ?

32. Cre 8 v W A R M - U P S ?

34. ? Break the Box Use the Box No Box New Box Virtual Box

35. Cre 8 v W A R M - U P S

36. Cre 8 v W A R M - U P S

37. Cre 8 v W A R M - U P S 1 2 3 4

38. Cre 8 v W A R M - U P S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

39. Cre 8 v W A R M - U P S Changing viewpoints or perspectives

40. Cre 8 v W A R M - U P S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Three cuts….

42. Only one cut…. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Push the edge to the bizarre

43. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Only one cut…. Changing tools

44. Warm-Up Exercises Why do them?

45. Warm-Up Exercises To open up a group or team's creative thinking Warm-Up Exercises are very helpful. The exercises help to loosen up paradigms, mindsets, and points of view that people bring to a creative thinking session. Some goals of Warm-Up Exercises are to encourage people to: a. look beyond the obvious or known answers (“correct” answers) b. stretch thinking c. breakout of/break from establish thinking d. look for multiple possibilities e. take on many different points of perspective f. practice producing a variety of potential solutions g. to take a few risks and play with ideas & possible solutions h. get discussion going I. raise interest level

47. Chapter 2

48. Chapter 2 Negatives of Creativity & Innovation

49. Tombstones or Trophies of creativity

50. RIP here lies a good idea today Tombstones of creativity RIP idea yesterday RIP idea tomorrow

51. idea worth a try does make waves.... but that’s ok! bold idea Clever approach! crazy enough to work impressive changes are good an inspiration very cool! fantastic! Trophies of creativity !

52. Chapter 3

53. Chapter 3 Who Might Be Creative? Are You Creative? How Creative Are You?

54. What Might It Be?

57. Who Might Be Creative

58. Jeff Bezos Amazon Jack Welch GE Richard Branson Virgin, etc. Fred Smith FedEx Michael Andreessen Netscape Bill Gates Microsoft Michael Eisner Disney Michael Dell Dell

59. Cathleen Black Hearst Ursula Burns Xerox Linda Quam Ovations Irene Rosenfeld Frito-Lay 20/1000 Anita Roddick Body Shop Mary Kay Ash Martha Stewart Debi Fields Mrs Fields’

60. Are You Creative ?

61. 32 Traits See possibilities Self- knowledgeable Self-actualizing Self-disciplined Sense of destiny Sensitive Severely critical of… Specific interests Synthesize correctly Tolerant of ambiguity Adaptable Curious Divergent thinker Energetic Fantasize, able to Flexible thinker Fluent Future oriented Humor Idealistic Imaginative Independent Ingenious Learning, always Non-conforming Not motivated by money Observant, highly Open-ended Original - uniqueness Passionate about their work Perceive world differently Question asker

62. 32 Traits See possibilities Self- knowledgeable Self-actualizing Self-disciplined Sense of destiny Sensitive Severely critical of… self, their work, potential of field potential of other people Specific interests Synthesize correctly often intuitively Tolerant of ambiguity Adaptable Curious Divergent thinker Energetic Fantasize, able to Flexible thinker Fluent Future oriented Humor Idealistic Imaginative Independent Ingenious Learning, always Non-conforming Not motivated by money Observant, highly Open-ended Original - uniqueness Passionate about their work Perceive world differently Question asker 28 All born with….

63. 32 Traits See possibilities Self- knowledgeable Self-actualizing Self-disciplined Sense of destiny Sensitive Severely critical of… self, their work, potential of field potential of other people Specific interests Synthesize correctly often intuitively Tolerant of ambiguity Adaptable Curious Divergent thinker Energetic Fantasize, able to Flexible thinker Fluent Future oriented Humor Idealistic Imaginative Independent Ingenious Learning, always Non-conforming Not motivated by money Observant, highly Open-ended Original - uniqueness Passionate about their work Perceive world differently Question asker All are learnable…

64. How Creative Are You?

68. Fluency Flexibility Elaboration Originality

69. S t y l e s Cre8ng ™

71. Think Learn Communicate Solve Problems C R E A T E !

72. - process information, knowledge - take in , use info/knowledge - share info/knowledge - apply info/knowledge

73. Solo Convergently Divergent Organizationally Convergent Divergent Family Solo/Team Divergent

74. Rational, Logical, Analytical, Individual Systematic, equations, Step-by-step, Proven Answers Intuitive, Exploratory, Unknown, Fanciful Fun, Harmonious, Involving all, Family/Team

76. Innovation- Problem-Finding Self Recovery- Implementing Self Imagination- Idea-Generating Self Discovery- Idea Sensing Self M Dd n i i i i i i your cre8ng style n n n n n i

77. Idea Grid Attribute Listing TRIZ S.C.A.M.P.E.R. Checklisting Brain Writing Excursions F orced R elationships Metaphors Writing Relay Group Excursions Guided Imagery

78. Q UOTE We all create Our own box shapes .” “ Barriers, Containers, Limiters, etc.

79. Thinking Tools Divergent & Convergent Creative

80. Tools & Techniques Creative Robert Alan Black, Ph.D., CSP alan @ cre8ng.com http://www.cre8ng.com

81. Creative Thinking Tools Associations Free/Accidental/Forced Perspectives/Viewpoints New/Unusual/Strange Discoveries Unexpected, Obvious Imaginary Explorations Generate Openness Raise Energy

82. = Divergent Thinking Tool Brainstorming Quantity breeds Quality Freewheeling of ideas Hitchhike/Combine Ideas No Judgement

83. = Divergent Thinking Tool Brainwriting Quantity breeds Quality Freewheeling of ideas Hitchhike/Combine Ideas No Judgement

84. = Divergent Thinking Tool Alphabetizing A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

85. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S Y U V W X Y Z animal Alphabetizing

86. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S Y U V W X Y Z Professions Occupations Famous People Heroes Super Heroes Alphabetizing

87. S. = substitute C. = combine A. = adapt, adopt M. = minify, magnify P. = put to other uses E. = eliminate R. = reverse Divergent Thinking Tool

88. CHECKLIST S.C.A.M.P.E.R. S.C.A.M.P.E.R. is a form of CHECKLIST . A CHECKLLIST is a prepared list of words, verbs, questions that you can use that can spark new ideas, change your thinking or your point of view or even you mood and the direction your thinking at the moment and take you into many directions. S.C.A.M.P.E.R. was created by Bob Eberle, teacher/educational consultant in the 1970 s to teach the concept of CHECKLISTING to school children by using a memory device (acronym) that they could easily remember when they needed to generate new ideas or remember existing or past ideas. It is used as the foundation for Michael Michalko’s excellent Creative Thinking Tools book…THINKERTOYS. First Step Write out the word S.C.A.M.P.E.R. vertically on a piece of paper or on a flip chart/chalkboard or other surface that the group can see. Second Step Write out what the 7 letters stand for. Third Step Then use each of the 7 by asking questions using these verbs to improve/change/revise your challenge or problem to generate potential ideas and solutions. Fourth Step Read over the ideas you have produced and select the best To work on to turn them into HOT SOLUTIONS to use. Sample = Combine - what might we combine with our problem to improve it? Chair - new materials, sound, tastes, textures, arm rest, cushion Eliminate - what might we eliminate to improve the current chair produce a brand new one? Hinges, one of the legs, the back S. = substitute C. = combine A. = adapt, adopt M. = minify, magnify P. = put to other uses E. = eliminate R. = reverse Divergent Thinking Tool

89. Forced Relationships + = Divergent Thinking Tool

90. Forced Relationships This is an idea generating technique that appears in many books about creative thinking and creative thinking or innovation tools. First Step choose something totally unrelated to the problem or challenge You or your group are working on. Second Step List everything you or your group know about it. (Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?… physical, visual, tactile,…all senses, good and bad) Third Step List everything you or your group know about your problem or challenge. (WWWWWH…and using all the senses) Fourth Step Take items/details/aspects from the first list and FORCE FIT them to features Or details from the second list. Your goal is to see if the features from The randomly chosen, unrelated thing/animal sparks ideas for improving, Changing, correcting features of the problem. A traditional example or warm-up for doing this consists of… 1st. Ask the person or group to write everything they know about a canary (or a bird in their country. 2nd. Ask the person or group to write everything they know about the chair they are sitting in. 3rd. Then I ask them to combine (FORCE FIT or make a FORCED Relationship) one item from the canary list with The chair’s list with the goal to improve, change, correct the chair design or to generate ideas for designing the ultimate chair. Sample + = Feathers-Soft + chair is hard = make seat soft Yellow + chair is ship gray = add color Divergent Thinking Tool

91. Sample + = Idea 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ideas 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Idea 2 Idea 4 Idea Grids Divergent Thinking Tool

92. Sample + = Idea 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Ideas 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Idea 2 Idea 4 Vertical 2 = make the chair out of wood Horizontal 4 = make the color changeable Ideas might be….cover, removable film or skin Idea Grids First Step With this Cre8ng Tool we first generate 12 to 24 ideas through Brainstorming or any other technique. Second Step Then draw a grid made up of as many vertical and horizontal Cells as you have ideas. Third Step Combine the ideas on the vertical side of the grid With the ideas on the horizontal side one by one and write them into the separate boxes where the two ideas meet.. 6 ideas can Then produce 36 ideas, 12 can produce 24, 100 - 10,000 Fourth Step Read over the ideas you have produced and select the best To work on to turn them into HOT SOLUTIONS to use. Divergent Thinking Tool

93. Idea or Morphological Grids Divergent Thinking Tool

94. Idea or Morphological Grids This is a logical/left-brain convergent tool that can be used to generate large numbers of ideas. 6 columns of 10 examples of each variable can produce 1,000,000 possible combinations. First Step Generate list of variables of problem or story Second Step Generate lists for each of the variables: i.e.: heroes: cowboy, Rancher, sheriff, shopkeeper, teacher, minister. Third Step Number each list for each variable 1 to 2 to 3 to …... Fourth Step Randomly pick one number for each variable column from 1 to ? Fifth Step Then write a story using one from each of the columns Sample 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Divergent Thinking Tool heroes heroines villians crimes locations Variables of story

95. Value Grids This is a logical/left-brain convergent tool that can be used to select ideas to turn into solutions First Step Generate ideas Second Step Select a workable number of ideas you or the group like Third Step Generate a list of values that final solution can be evaluated with. Fourth Step Examine each idea one by one for each value. Or Examine each value one by one comparing the chairs. Fifth Step If one idea ends up better from the analysis than one that you or the group have a strong feeling for then go back and re-evaluate the weak areas and strengthen or change them. Sample + = Idea A. B. C. D. E. Values 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Idea B Value 4 Idea B = make the chair out of wood Value 4 = better aesthetics Wood would make it easier to tool, the grain will Give a natural beauty to the chair Convergent Thinking Tool

96. PCP-Pluses/Concerns/Potentials Pluses/Concerns/Potentials a convergent thinking tool used for analyzing a list or group of ideas that have been generated by an individual or a group. First Step Narrow down the number of ideas to a comfortable number (3 to 6) Second Step Then one by one write out 3 lists of thoughts about each idea. Pluses of the ideas Concerns Potentials Third Step Then compare the results. Fourth Step If one idea falls behind the others yet the group seems more excited about it or committed to it, then go over each of the concerns and think of ways to eliminate or strength them with that idea. Sample = Idea 1 Make the chair out of XXX plastic and apply electrical lighting to it. Pluses - Plastic will be cheaper Lighting will make it more useable The plastic will provide more color options Concerns - We have no experience with plastic Electrical wiring will add cost It may be too easily tipped over Potentials - Could lead to a product that could be sold anywhere in the world. Could expand our technical capacities Could open up new markets for our other products. Convergent Thinking Tool

97. Hits & Misses Hits & Misses is a convergent thinking tool used for quickly choosing ideas from several that have been generated. First Step Generate many ideas….24, 48, 144…..on Post-It notes or slips of paper or index cards or simply write them on a surface where everyone can see them easily. Second Step Tell the group to go up and scan the total group of ideas and mark which ones their “gut” tells them is a hit. No discussion. Just simply read and react. Or Tell the group to go up and move the ideas they think are HITS to an area labeled HITS and the MISSES to another area labeled thus. Leave the “NOT SURE” ones where they are. Third Step Then discuss, organize by popularity, group, cluster the ideas by categories. Fourth Step Select the one or more that can be used at the same time or the ones that can be combined into a single idea Sample Hits Unsure? Misses Convergent Thinking Tool

98. Forced Relationships Animal (a-z) Product - Aardvark - Bear - Cow - Dog - Elephant - clothing - entertainment - building - sports - teaching tools Creative Thinking Tools

99. Creative Thinking Tools Idea Grid Bread Meat Top’g Veg Fruit Snack Dessert 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

100. Idea Grid Bread Meat Top’g Veg Fruit Snack Dessert 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Creative Thinking Tools

101. Creative Thinking Tools Pluses Concerns Potentials PCP Pluses/Concerns/Potentials

102. Creative Thinking Tools Idea 1 Idea 2 Idea 3 Idea 4 Idea 5 Idea 6 Idea 1 Idea 2 Idea 3 Idea 4 Idea 5 Idea 6 Idea 1 Idea 2 Idea 3 Idea 4 Idea 5 Idea 6       1 2 3 Hits & Misses “ Doting”, Ranking

103. Creative Thinking Tools # a. b. c. d. e. 1. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1 * ? Value Grid

104. Being creative is a choice… a daily choice! Individuals, leaders, entire organizations can make the choice.

105. Every aspect & part of an Organization can be made more creative. As you develop, expand and enrich the creativeness EVERYONE will generate more ideas & solutions.

106. May you all… as individuals & future leaders make the choice to be... Creative

107. Creative And may all your organizations and companies become Communities

108. QUESTIONS

109. Nandri Terima Kasih Thank you lah No worry mate Grazie Abrigado Gracias Origato Danke Merci Gratis Xie xie ni

110. Contact information Robert Alan Black, Ph.D., CSP Cre8ng People, Places & Possibilities P. O. Box 5805 Athens, Georgia 30604 [email_address] http://www.cre8ng.com