Although many have made variants on the 6-step problem-solving technique, in the 1950s Dr. Sidney J. Parnes and Alex Osborn invented the only research-based version of this approach. After working with and observing high-level advertising employees throughout the process of brainstorming and implementation, Parnes and Osborn recognized that creative people are going through several stages as they create, organize, and select good solutions to problems.
They published their findings in 1979 under the title, Applied Imagination: Creative Thinking Principles and Procedures. The 6-Step model, “The Creative Problem Solving (CPS) Method” was called in their original work and included these key segments:
• Objective Search
• Finding the Proof
• Seeing the question
• Getting the Word
• Finding Solution
• Finding acceptance
These six segments were further organized into three key phases of problem-solving: Challenge exploration, Idea generation, and Action Preparedness.
This model also includes elements from the Soft Stage Management (SSM) model, which provides a seven-stage approach to problem-solving. Businesses and organizations around the world have adopted the Yale adaptation and include these four steps of action:
• Define the problem
• Determine the root cause of the problem
• Developing alternative solutions
• Choose a solution to incorporate the solution.
 Ways To Enhance Your Problem Solving Skills
Did you ever think of yourself as a solver of problems? I don’t feel so. In reality, however, we are always solving problems. And the greater our ability to solve problems, the happier our lives will be. Problems arise in many forms and shapes. They can be mundane, daily issues, or more complex issues: what to have tonight for dinner?
What a way to get to work?
How can a project be fixed that runs behind schedule?
How to change from an uninspiring job to a career that you love?
You’re going to face at least one question every day to solve. But when you know that things are simply decisions, it becomes simpler. Nothing but having to make a decision is’ scary’ with them.
Whatever job you are in, wherever you live, who your partner is, how many friends you have, your ability to solve problems will be judged. Because of those involved, challenges are similar hassles. And people don’t like to have trouble. The more problems you can fix, the less difficult the whole matter, the happier people are with you. Everybody’s winning.
Simplify ThingsÂ
As human beings, and they prefer to complicate things more than they need to be! By generalizing it, try to simplify the problem. Delete all the information and stick to the basics. Try to find a very simple, obvious solution–the findings could shock you!
List out as Many Solutions as Possible
Try to come up with’ ALL POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS’–even though at first they look ridiculous. To boost creative thinking, it’s important to keep an open mind that can trigger potential solutions.
Coming from 10 years in the corporate advertising industry,’ No idea is a bad idea’ is drummed into you, and this helps creative thinking in brainstorms and other problem-solving techniques. Whatever you do, don’t get ridiculed about’ stupid solutions’ because it’s often the crazy ideas that trigger other more viable solutions.
Think LaterallyÂ
Shift your mind course by looking laterally. Look at the saying, try changing your attitude, and looking at things in a new way. You can try to flip around your target and look for a polar opposite solution! A new and creative strategy, even if it sounds crazy, typically triggers a fresh response.
Use Language That Creates Possibility
Lead the thought with phrases such as’ what if…’ and’ imagines if…’ that enable our brains to think creatively and promote solutions. Once you begin to adapt my suggestions, nothing is frightening about a problem.
Attempt not to see things as’ scary’ stuff! If you’re talking about what the real problem is, it’s just suggestions about your current situation. Every problem tells you that something doesn’t work at the moment and you need to find a new way around it.
Therefore, try to approach issues neutrally–without any judgment. We are focusing on describing a problem, keeping calm and not making things too complicated.
