A PowerPoint presentation depicting The Trichotomy Theory of Phases in Creative Problem Solving, (Simon, 1977, and Mintzberg et al, 1976). It is an adaptation by Residential School Tutors on the Open University Business School MBA module B822 Creativity, Innovation and Change, to illustrate the four different levels of Creative Problem Exploration: Precepts; Techniques; Frameworks; Methods, and how those four different levels relate to The Trichotomy Theory of Phases in Creative Problem Solving. This PowerPoint should be read in conjunction with the document, ‘The Trichotomy’.

1. macegroup.com
The B822 Trichotomy:
Phases in Problem Solving…
Overlaid with the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem Exploration
“giants wizards goblins…LIVE!”
@ B822 Exam Preparation Day, London
15th September 2012

2. macegroup.com
The correct reference to the Diagram detailed overleaf,
commonly known as „The Trichotomy', is as follows:
"A diagram depicting The Trichotomy Theory of phases in Problem
Solving, (Simon, 1977, and Mintzberg et al, 1976) as adapted by Open
University Business School Residential Course Tutors on the MBA
module, B822 Creativity, Innovation and Change.”
It illustrates the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem
Exploration, which are: Precepts; Techniques; Frameworks;
Methods, and how those Four different levels relate to The
Trichotomy Theory of phases in Problem Solving.

3. macegroup.com
Precepts – The 12 basic rules, or principles, that underlies Techniques. The
guiding ‘values’, or ‘Vibe’, that engenders creative ‘Thinking, Saying, Doing’.
Remember the 13th Precept: ‘The Reflective Practitioner’
The Trichotomy of Phases in Problem Solving
Overlaid with the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem Exploration

4. macegroup.com
Divergent Phase
Problem Statement Defined
Initial
Awareness Techniques for:
Convergent Phase
The Trichotomy of Phases in Problem Solving
Overlaid with the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem Exploration
Precepts – The 12 basic rules, or principles, that underlies Techniques. The
guiding ‘values’, or ‘Vibe’, that engenders creative ‘Thinking, Saying, Doing’.
Remember the 13th Precept: ‘The Reflective Practitioner’

5. macegroup.com
Problem Statement Defined
Initial
Awareness Techniques for:
Problem Finding, Exploration
& Defining
70%
The Trichotomy of Phases in Problem Solving
Overlaid with the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem Exploration
Precepts – The 12 basic rules, or principles, that underlies Techniques. The
guiding ‘values’, or ‘Vibe’, that engenders creative ‘Thinking, Saying, Doing’.
Remember the 13th Precept: ‘The Reflective Practitioner’
Divergent Phase
Convergent Phase

6. macegroup.com
Problem Statement Defined Solution Established
Initial
Awareness Techniques for:
Problem Finding, Exploration
& Defining
70%
Techniques for:
The Trichotomy of Phases in Problem Solving
Overlaid with the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem Exploration
Precepts – The 12 basic rules, or principles, that underlies Techniques. The
guiding ‘values’, or ‘Vibe’, that engenders creative ‘Thinking, Saying, Doing’.
Remember the 13th Precept: ‘The Reflective Practitioner’
Divergent Phase
Convergent Phase

7. macegroup.com
Problem Statement Defined Solution Established
Initial
Awareness Techniques for:
Problem Finding, Exploration
& Defining
70%
Techniques for:
Idea Generation, Solution
Finding
20%
The Trichotomy of Phases in Problem Solving
Overlaid with the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem Exploration
Precepts – The 12 basic rules, or principles, that underlies Techniques. The
guiding ‘values’, or ‘Vibe’, that engenders creative ‘Thinking, Saying, Doing’.
Remember the 13th Precept: ‘The Reflective Practitioner’
Divergent Phase
Convergent Phase

8. macegroup.com
Problem Statement Defined Solution Established
Initial
Awareness
Actionable
Understanding
Techniques for:
Problem Finding, Exploration
& Defining
70%
Techniques for:
Idea Generation, Solution
Finding
20%
Techniques for:
The Trichotomy of Phases in Problem Solving
Overlaid with the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem Exploration
Precepts – The 12 basic rules, or principles, that underlies Techniques. The
guiding ‘values’, or ‘Vibe’, that engenders creative ‘Thinking, Saying, Doing’.
Remember the 13th Precept: ‘The Reflective Practitioner’
Divergent Phase
Convergent Phase

9. macegroup.com
Problem Statement Defined Solution Established
Initial
Awareness
Actionable
Understanding
Techniques for:
Problem Finding, Exploration
& Defining
70%
Techniques for:
Idea Generation, Solution
Finding
20%
Techniques for:
Implementation, Action
Planning
10%
The Trichotomy of Phases in Problem Solving
Overlaid with the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem Exploration
Precepts – The 12 basic rules, or principles, that underlies Techniques. The
guiding ‘values’, or ‘Vibe’, that engenders creative ‘Thinking, Saying, Doing’.
Remember the 13th Precept: ‘The Reflective Practitioner’
Divergent Phase
Convergent Phase

10. macegroup.com
Frameworks –
The 6 conceptual
‘views’ of problem
exploration that
underlie a
particular method
Problem Statement Defined Solution Established
Initial
Awareness
Actionable
Understanding
Techniques for:
Problem Finding, Exploration
& Defining
70%
Techniques for:
Idea Generation, Solution
Finding
20%
Techniques for:
Implementation, Action
Planning
10%
The Trichotomy of Phases in Problem Solving
Overlaid with the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem Exploration
Precepts – The 12 basic rules, or principles, that underlies Techniques. The
guiding ‘values’, or ‘Vibe’, that engenders creative ‘Thinking, Saying, Doing’.
Remember the 13th Precept: ‘The Reflective Practitioner’
Divergent Phase
Convergent Phase

11. macegroup.com
Frameworks –
The 6 conceptual
‘views’ of problem
exploration that
underlie a
particular method
Problem Statement Defined Solution Established
Initial
Awareness
Actionable
Understanding
Techniques for:
Problem Finding, Exploration
& Defining
70%
Techniques for:
Idea Generation, Solution
Finding
20%
Techniques for:
Implementation, Action
Planning
10%
The Trichotomy of Phases in Problem Solving
Overlaid with the Four Different Levels of Creative Problem Exploration
Method –a complete problem solving package
Precepts – The 12 basic rules, or principles, that underlies Techniques. The
guiding ‘values’, or ‘Vibe’, that engenders creative ‘Thinking, Saying, Doing’.
Remember the 13th Precept: ‘The Reflective Practitioner’
Divergent Phase
Convergent Phase

12. macegroup.com
For information on: Mace; Elvin;
this deck of slides in particular
and others like it, please see
overleaf for full contact details,
thank you.
Elvin Box MBA (Open) MCIOB FFB
Associate Director, Mace Ltd.
155 Moorgate
London
EC2M 6XB
England
T +44 (0) 20 3522 3000
M +44(0) 7717 857107
E Elvin.Box@macegroup.com
W www.macegroup.com
Twitter @MaceGroup @ElvinBox
Copyright © 2013 Mace Group