This document provides guidance on creative problem solving tools and techniques. It discusses both divergent and convergent thinking approaches. The divergent section includes guidelines for generating many novel ideas using techniques like brainstorming, brainwriting, and SCAMPER. The convergent section discusses focusing on the best ideas and provides guidelines for affirmative judgment. The document then provides examples of applying specific tools like attribute listing, morphological matrices, and hits and hot spots to structure problem solving.

1. THINKING TOOLS -­‐‑
EMPOWERING STUDENTS TO GET THE JOB DONE

2. UNDERSTANDING
THE CHALLENGE
Constructing
Opportunities
Framing
Problems
Exploring
Data
PREPARING
FOR ACTION
Developing
Solutions
Building
Acceptance
GENERATING
IDEASGenerating
Ideas
Designing
Process
PLANNING
YOUR APPROACH
Appraising
Tasks
CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING—
CPS Version 6.1™
Clarity
Options
Action
© 2013 Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc.

3. Self Assessment
© 1996, Center for Creative Learning; reproduced by permission
Let’s find out where you stand now as a creative problem solver?!
4= Familiar and could teach to others
3= Have seen and used some
2= Have heard of or seen, have never used
1= Unfamiliar to me
Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc.

4. List any generating or focusing tools
you know well and have used:
Brainstorming
Brainstorming with Post-­‐‑itsTM
Brainwriting
Force-­‐‑FiZing
Hot spots, Highlighting
Identifying Hits
Sequencing: SML
Evaluation Matrix (variations)
Paired Comparison Analysis
ALoU
SCAMPER
Morphological Matrix
Ladder of Abstraction
WIBAI / WIBNI

5. EFFECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING RELIES UPON…
Creative Thinking (divergent)
Generating new & many ideas
Principle of Deferred Judgment
Adapted from: Treffinger, D. J., Isaksen, S. G., & Dorval, K. B. (2006). Creative problem
solving: An introduction. (4th Ed.). Waco, TX: Prufrock Press.

6. Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc.
Guidelines for Generating . . .
Use Deferred Judgment
1.
No Criticism or Praise…
2. Quantity
3. Combinations and improvements
(hitchhiking or piggybacking)
4. Freewheeling
(Wild and crazy ideas are allowed!)

7. Category List for Generating Ideas
• Arts & Aesthetics
• Basic Needs
• Business & Commerce
• Communication
• Defense
• Economics
• Education
• Environment
• Ethics & Religion
• Government & Politics
• Law & Justice
• Miscellaneous
• Physical Health
• Psychological Health
• Recreation
• Social Relationships
• Technology
• Transportation
(Used in both Steps 1 & 3)
Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc.

8.
Brainwriting Directions
There should be enough sheets for everyone in the group,
Identify the question or problem on which the group will
be working. Write your name on the top of this sheet.
Next:
1. Take a blank brainwriting sheet and write three ideas
for dealing with the problem, entering one idea in boxes 1,
1, and 1.
2. Pass your sheet to the right when finished and take the
one passed to you from your left.
3. You should always have a new sheet, not the one you
just wrote on.
4. Read the ideas on the sheet you received and use the
ideas to make new connections.
5. Add three more ideas to the new sheet, and then repeat
steps 1-­‐‑4. (write in boxes 2,2,2; then 3,3,3; and finally 4,4,4)
6. Continue until all the sheets have been filled with ideas!
7. Duplicate ideas should not be wriZen on any sheet;
however, if one of your ideas is not on the sheet you
receive and you cannot think of a novel idea, you may
repeat it.

9. 1.
1.
1.
2.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3.
4.
4.
4.

10. EFFECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING RELIES UPON…
Critical Thinking (convergent)
Focusing on the best idea(s)
Principle of Affirmative Judgment
Adapted from: Treffinger, D. J., Isaksen, S. G., & Dorval, K. B. (2006). Creative problem
solving: An introduction. (4th Ed.). Waco, TX: Prufrock Press.

11. Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc.
Guidelines for Focusing …
Use Affirmative Judgment
1.
Be thorough, but positive.
2.
Follow a plan using focusing tools.
3.
Keep eyes on the goal.
4.
Stay open to all ideas -­‐‑ looking for new & unusual
possibilities.
These
guidelines
are
adapted
from
Treffinger,
Isaksen,
and
Dorval
(1994).

12. EFFECTIVE PROBLEM SOLVING RELIES UPON…
Creative Thinking
Critical Thinking
Adapted from: Treffinger, D. J., Isaksen, S. G., & Dorval, K. B. (2006). Creative problem
solving: An introduction. (4th Ed.). Waco, TX: Prufrock Press.

13. CHESS
*A]ribute Listing -­‐‑
What parts or game pieces are needed?
(Generating/Focusing)

14. *SCAMPER
How might we improve young peoples’ enjoyment of chess?
S -­‐‑ Substitute
C -­‐‑ Combine
A -­‐‑ Adapt
M -­‐‑ Modify/Magnify/Minimize
P -­‐‑ put to other uses
E -­‐‑ Eliminate
R -­‐‑ Rearrange or reverse (SCAMPER)
(Generating)

15. Applying the Guidelines
My friend has an idea for a new product.
Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc.
*Brainstorm -­‐‑ provide your 1st, spontaneous reaction
(Don’t ask!! Just your reaction!!)
(Generating/Focusing)
Let’s create and sell
Chocolate Chess Sets…

16. WIBAI / WIBNI
• WIBAI (Wouldn’t it be awful if?)
• WIBNI (Wouldn’t it be nice if?)
(Generating/Focusing)

17. Morphological Matrix (Generating)
Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc.
Topic - Great Care
People/Agencies Places Goals Obstacles
1
Parent
Schools
To
teach
chess
Object
to
eaEng
of
candy
2
Teachers
Stores
To
sell
at
store
Funds
not
available
to
replenish
3
Community
Center
Instructors
Clubs
To
make
money
Unhealthy
4
Camps
Counselors
Home
To
sustain
sales
People
objecEng
to
unsanitary
condiEon
5
Business
Owners
who
market
Resorts
To
increase
thinking
Shelf-­‐life
of
pieces
6
Chess
Players
CompeEEons
To
provide
fun/entertainment
Messiness
7
Students
ARer
School
Agencies
To
open
people’s
minds
to
new
and
different
ideas
People
with
closed
minds
8
MarkeEng
Specialists
Exhibits
To
socialize
Trash
concern
throughout
game

18.
And Now Your Solutions:
*Hits & Hot Spots within your team
to determine the best solutions
(Focusing)
Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers -­‐‑ Practice Session
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc. All rights reserved.

19. Select Criteria
STEP 4. Select Criteria (Generating)
Generate criteria to help you decide which solution idea does the best job of solving your underlying problem. Select the five criteria you think are the most
important for measuring your solution ideas and write them in the space provided.. Each criterion should have a different focus. Do not write on the back of any
page. If needed, additional blank pages are provided.
1.
Which solution will … ?
2.
3.
4.
5.

20. Step 5. Apply Criteria (Focusing)
From your list of solution ideas, select the 8 ideas you think have the most potential to solve your underlying
problem. Use each criterion to compare/rank the solutions on a scale from 1 (poorest) to 8 (best). Enter the
numbers in the appropriate columns. Add the ranks you have given to each solution and enter the sums in
the Total
Step
3
Sol’n
#
Solu-on
Idea
Criteria
Total
1
2
3
4
#
1
Bank
loan
5
#
2
LOC
1
#
3
Borrow
from
a
friend
or
family
member
3
#
4
Raise
money
on
line
–
Go
Fund
Me
4
#
5
Fund
Raiser
2

21. ALoU
*ALoU – show the Advantages,
Limitations/means to Overcome,
and Unique possibilities
(Focusing)

22. • ALoU : What Advantages will be recognized
because of the Action Plan?
• What Limitations may be encountered and how
might we overcome them?
• What are the Unique possibilities of this plan?
Add even more to the Plan of Action . . .
Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers -­‐‑ Practice Session
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc. All rights reserved.

23. Going
down
the
ladder:
Ask
“How?”
(Options
become
more
specific)
Going
up
the
ladder:
Ask
“Why?”
(Options
become
more
general)
Help
all
students
become
competent
critical/creative
thinkers
for
the
competitive
21st
Century
Incorporate
learning
opportunities
in
which
generating
&
focusing
tools
are
applicable
Involve
students
in
challenging,
yet
enjoyable
activities
or
programs
and
use
various
generating
or
focusing
tools
to
reach
the
desired
effect
Become
comfortable
with
multiple
thinking
tools,
design
lessons
which
include
appropriate
tools,
and
plan
time
for
spontaneous
use
of
tools
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THINKING TOOLS IN THE CLASSROOM?
(An example of the “Ladder of Abstraction” tool) (Focusing)
Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc.

24. Applying the Tools Effectively
Tools for Problem Solvers -­‐‑ Chapter 5
© 1996, Center for Creative Learning; reproduced by permission
• Set time aside to work deliberately on learning &
practicing these tools.
• Learn & use the tools by name.
• Review regularly both the Tools & the Guidelines
for Generating & Focusing.
• Recognize the role & importance of style differences.
• Provide familiar tasks for learning & practicing new
tools, and use familiar tools when beginning new
tasks.
Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc.

25. Applying the Tools Effectively
Tools for Problem Solvers -­‐‑ Chapter 5
© 1996, Center for Creative Learning; reproduced by permission
• Plan deliberately when selecting tools; be certain you know
what you want to accomplish & why you’re choosing a certain
tool.
• Discuss & debrief the tools & the results.
• Encourage participants to apply tools in other seZings and to
share their personal applications of any of the tools.
• Model using the tools.
• Seek ways to use the tools in combination.
• If what you’re doing isn’t working, try something else.
•
Preparing a New Generation of Problem Solvers
©2010, Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc.

26. The tools won’t break.
You might discover a great new
way to apply it successfully.
Feel free to be creative about
being creative!