Creative thinking is the ability to look at problems and situations from a fresh perspective to come up with innovative solutions. It involves thinking outside the box and developing original ideas.
Creative thinking is an important skill for the workplace, as it allows employees to bring new ideas and improvements to their roles and projects.
Here is a guide on a five step process for creative thinking and its role in the workplace:
What is Creative Thinking?
Creative thinking is the cognitive process of generating new ideas, concepts, associations, and connections that may seem unorthodox or unconventional. It goes beyond logical thinking to tap into the full potential of the human mind and how creative are you.
Creative thinking allows people to imagine and explore new possibilities beyond the obvious or conventional.
Background on Creative Thinking
Creative thinking has always played an important role in human advancement and innovation.
Throughout history, those who could think creatively brought new inventions, art, ideas, and solutions to old problems.
Creative thinking is needed now more than ever, as we tackle complex challenges that require out-of-the-box solutions.
Companies today value creative thinkers who can bring fresh perspectives and approaches.
Maximizing a Five Step Creative Thinking Process
Having a structured creative thinking process can help maximize innovation. Here is an example five step approach:
- Preparation: Define the problem, gather information, and immerse yourself in the topic.
- Incubation: Step away to allow ideas to develop unconsciously.
- Insight: The “Aha!” moment when a new idea breaks through.
- Evaluation: Determine if the idea is valuable and feasible.
- Elaboration: Flesh out the details and implement the idea.
Following these steps can help surface creative ideas in a methodical way. Allowing time for incubation and insight is key.
When to Use Creative Thinking in the Workplace
Creative thinking should be used when:
- Brainstorming new products, services or processes
- Facing complex or novel challenges
- Improving workflows and procedures
- Developing solutions to problems
- Finding innovative ways to serve customers
- Looking for growth opportunities
The Value of a Five Step Creative Thinking Process
- Generates more ideas: A structured process produces more ideas vs just thinking randomly
- Looks at problems differently: Allows you to attack problems from new angles
- Makes space for incubation: Taking a break lets ideas develop unconsciously
- Builds on ideas: Each step helps strengthen and refine ideas
- Leads to original solutions: Process aims for out-of-the-box thinking
Features and Benefits of a Five Step Creative Thinking Process
Features:
- Preparation: Analyze the problem in-depth
- Incubation: Take a break to gain distance
- Insight: Let ideas break through naturally
- Evaluation: Assess ideas objectively
- Elaboration: Refine and implement ideas
Benefits:
- Looks at challenges comprehensively
- Allows unconscious processing
- Encourages breakthrough thinking
- Tests feasibility of ideas
- Yields actionable solutions
5 Tips for Using a Five Step Creative Thinking Process
- Define the problem clearly before starting.
- Schedule breaks for incubation. Go for a walk or do something different.
- Document ideas when they come so you don’t forget.
- Have others evaluate ideas to reduce bias.
- Set aside time to refine ideas into solutions.
Example of a Five Step Creative Thinking Process
Let’s look at how a software company might use this process to improve their onboarding:
- Preparation: Review current onboarding pain points and objectives. Examine competitors.
- Incubation: Take a break and let ideas marinate.
- Insight: Realize onboarding could be gamified to be more engaging.
- Evaluation: Analyze if gamification fits brand and budget.
- Elaboration: Design prototype of gamified onboarding program.
Conclusion
A structured creative thinking process can help unlock innovation in the workplace. Following defined steps like preparation, incubation, insight, evaluation and elaboration allows organizations to tap into their creative potential.
Creative thinking is a valuable skill that enables employees to bring fresh ideas and new solutions to the table.
Companies that foster creative thinking can gain a real competitive edge.
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