Pattern Correlation
A process when you see a misspelled word but you still understand the meaning of the word
Left Brain
Learning, information processing, logic, analyzes
Right Brain
Creativity, art, feelings
2 Parts of Memory
Storage and Recall
Creativity
Process of creating something new, using imagination to produce work
Creation
Something new that has value
Original
Something that is said to be new
Multi-disciplinary effort
Organization identifies a complex problem, problem is divided into parts. Four possible solutions.
Insight
Ability to look a complex problem and see through the maze
Camelot
Process in problem identification with idealized situation, comparing real situation to ideal situation
Squeeze and stretch method (Problem identifying)
An attempt to discover the scope of problem, and then find its basic components
Squeeze
find its basic components, asking chain of questions for what
Stretch
An attempt to discover the scope of problem, asking chain of questions for why
Assumption reversal
Recognize the limitation of solution
Analogy
Developing alternatives, comparing two things that are dissimilar
Contrast association
Develop dissimilarities (Black / White) (opposites)
Ingenuity
Ability to devise methods to make work easier, faster, or better
Edison technique
Technique that solves by inventing new alternatives
Biggest barrier to creativity
Expertitis, when the person has deep knowledge of a topic but can't filter it to their audience's need
Attribute listing
Technique which attacks problem by listing various characteristics then thinking of ways to improve each characteristic
Onion model
Ideas cluster around focus of topic, expands relationships between concepts
Experimentation
Selecting among alternatives; interaction between variable needs to be considered
Force-field analysis
Focus on driving forces and restraining forces to change
Scenario writing
Emphasis on potential future, writing futuristic story
Synectics
Type of brainstorming that relies on analogies and metaphors
The 8 S's of Innovation
Strategy and purposes required to have objectives Structure uses alliances to obtain innovation System and processes is reward system for creativity and innovation Style encourages risk taking Staff has innovation champions Resources invests heavily but appropriately Shared values possesses a shared value Strategic performances
Idea spurring questions
Two other uses? Adapt? Modify? Magnify? Substitute? Rearrange? Reverse? Combine?
Creative thinking
involves calling into question the assumptions underlying our customary, habitual ways of thinking and acting and then being ready to think and act differently on the basis of the critical questioning.
Components of Critical Thinking
Identifying and challenging assumptions. Recognizing the importance of context. Imagining and exploring alternatives. Developing reflective skepticism.
Creative Thinkers do what?
Consider rejecting standardized formats for problem solving. Have an interest in a wide range of related and divergent fields. Take multiple perspectives on a problem. Use trial-and-error methods in their experimentation. Have a future orientation. Have self-confidence and trust in their own judgment.
Critical Thinking Involves (what you do during critical thinking)
Recognizing underlying assumptions. Scrutinizing arguments. Judging ideas. Judging the rationality of these justifications by comparing them to a range of varying interpretations and prospective. Providing positive as well as negative appraisal.
_____ is the process of generating something new, something original that has value to an individual, a group, an organization , an industry, or a society.
Creativity
______ is something original that has value.
A creation
People who are consistently turning out creative ideas are sometimes referred to as _______.
creatives
The product of a creative effort does NOT need to be ________.
a tangible physical object
How many types of creativity are there? What are they?
Two primary types, individual and group/team creativity
What are the primary areas involved in achieving innovative organizational context?
Organization's strategies and purposes structure system and processes leadership style staff situations resources available and their allocation shared values strategic performance resources avail
True or False: Never make assumptions about the condition of future factors in the problem situation.
False
What are the two distinct kinds of thought processes?
divergent, convergent
What does divergent thinking mean?
expanding the picture of the problem, looking at it from various points of view, generating options for solving it.
What is convergent thinking mean?
Narrowing down the problem and related parts of its solution.
Assumption Reversal
listing all assumptions about the problem, then reversing them and trying to solve the problem. You're trying to recognize limitations of the solutions you come up with.
Analyzing the Environment
1-Hire futurists and other consultants 2-Monitor weak signals 3-Opportunity Searches
Consensus Building (problem identifying)
voting in a democratic manner, everyone works to get to get a mutually acceptable solution
Experience Kit (problem identifying)
putting problem solvers through an experience that causes them to understand the problem better
Fishbone/Ishikawa Diagram (problem identifying)
exercise that lists all possible causes and effects of the problem at hand
King of the Mountain (problem identifying)
one or two individuals take a position on what the problem is, and other members try to come up with a better one
Questions (problem identifying)
What do you know? What patterns exist?
Why-why diagram (problem identifying)
identifies the causes of a problem in a systematic way, asking why each time, Diagram moves from L to R. Traditional decision tree.
Alternative Methods (problem identifying)
Redefining a problem or opportunity Rewrite Objectives in Different Ways
Analogies and Metaphors (generating alternatives)
helps one identify problems and understand them better.
Analysis of Past Solutions (generating alternatives)
Learning from failures, know what to do and not do
Association (generating alternatives)
Making a mental connection between two objects or ideas. They must be related in some manner
Free Association (generating alternatives)
Just getting as many ideas as possible on the white board. You're looking for thoughts
Attribute Association Chains (generating alternatives)
technique begins with a list of the attributes of a problem. You free associate on each attribute to generate ideas about the problem.
Attribute Listing (generating alternatives)
consists of listing all the attributes or qualities of a problem, object. Then, they systematically analyzes each attribute or group
Back to the Customers (generating alternatives)
turns our attention from production problems to marketing problems.
Back to the Sun (generating alternatives)
for each elements you can trace a process back to natural resources and ultimately the sun
Circle of Opportunity (generating alternatives)
randomly selecting problem attributes and combining them to create a topic for a brainstorming session.
Computer Program (generating alternatives)
using software programs, help with generating new ideas, helping structure problem solving process, and asking new questions.
Deadlines (generating alternatives)
some people claim they work better under pressure
Direct Analogies (generating alternatives)
knowledge/facts/technology from one field is applied to another.
Establish Idea sources (generating alternatives)
getting info from magazines, websites, books
Examine it with the senses (generating alternatives)
using hearing, sight, touch, smell, taste
The FCB Grid (generating alternatives)
Developed by Richard Vaughn. 4 cell matrix used to describe management and marketing concepts. Examples of terms used along axis: high and low involvement (describes pricing) on other axis think and feel (describes consumer involvment). Example found on-line placed items like perfume, automobiles, life insurance, clothes pins on the grid in 4 quadrants.
The Focused - Object Technique (generating alternatives)
contains elements of both free associations and forced relationships.
Fresh Eye (generating alternatives)
bringing in someone from the outside who doesn't know anything about the problem
Googlestorming (generating alternatives)
using search engine to help spread your thinking.
Idea Bits and Racking (generating alternatives)
Taking idea bits ( or ideas generated in individual or group session) and using a specially designed racking board.
Input-Output (generating alternatives)
Helps identify new wars to accomplish an objective, Defining a dynamic system by it's input, output, and limiting requirements.
Mind Mapping (generating alternatives)
Made by Tony Buzan, hierarchical and shows relationships among pieces of the whole
Music (generating alternatives)
Puts analytical side of brain to sleep; intuitive side of function
Name Possible Uses (generating alternatives)
provides solutions to a whole array of problems
The Napoleon Technique (generating alternatives)
assuming that you are someone famous, might help you
What are the three forms of applied thinking that we all need?
decision making, problem solving and creative thinking
What is the different between problem solving and creative thinking?
Object of problem solving is usually a solution, answer, or conclusion. Outcome of creative thinking is new ideas.
What are the two aspects of the mind?
Information it can store in memory, and what it can do. Professional knowledge includes both.
How many cells does your brain have?
10,000 million. Each can link with 10,000 of its neighbors.
What are the three main functions of the mind?
analyzing, synthesizing and imagining, and valuing
What are the three forms of applied effective thinking?
decision making, problem solving, creative or innovative thinking
Analyzing is closely related to...
logical or step-by-step reasoning by breaking down individual parts (reverse of synthesizing)
What are the two main parts of logic?
deduction and induction
deduction
process of inferring or verifying a general law or principle from the observation of particular instances - core of the "scientific method"
induction
any form of reasoning in which the conclusion, though supported by the premises, does not follow from them necessarily.
What is synthesizing?
putting or placing things together to make a whole. (reverse of analyzing)
What does "holistic dimension" mean?
The ability of the minds to think in terms of wholes. (as well as analytically, taking the wholes into bits)
Where is the "valuing" function used?
In criticism, criteria, evaluating, appraising
What are the elements of "valuing"?
Object element (outside yourself) and subjective one. We can all judge and evaluate objective things, but what we actually value, "our values and morals" depends on our environment and culture, thus making it subjective
What is the Depth of Mind Principle?
The principle that allows us to analyze, synthesize and value in our sleep, or when we are doing something quite different. Depth of Mind principle is also the source of intuition - that sixth sense.
According to Adair, what are the five steps of effective decision making?
Define the objective
Collect relevant information 3)Generate feasible options
Make the decision
Implement and evaluation
Discuss Step 1 of 5 Steps of Effective Decision Making.
Know what you're trying to achieves
Discuss Step 2 of 5 Steps of Effective Decision Making.
Collect the information that will help you make your decision, being careful not to confuse "available and relevant" information
What is the Information Overload Syndrome?
Where managers are overwhelmed by the massive availability of information.
What is the lobster pot model? Which step of the effective decision making model does it pertain to?
narrowing down choice options, using the principle that it is easier to falsify something than to verify it; step 3
What are four things you should consider to help you make a decision in a complex case?
listing advantages/disadvantages, examining the consequences of each course, testing the proposed course against the yardstick of your aim or objective, weighing the risks against the expected gains.
What are the two forms of consequence?
manifest consequences- you foresee when you make your decision; latent consequences - not nearly as probable to foresee (may trigger more problems)
What is the difference between a bad and a wrong decision?
Wrong decision - fault lies within the method. Bad - something was deliberately ignored
What is the difference between outcome and process?
Outcomes cannot always be controlled, but the process can. Knowing how to avoid "bad mistakes" in the process can lead to better outcomes
When is implementation part of the decision making process rather than the end of it?
Your valuing faculty will come into play to evaluate the decision, the data informs the Depth mind, and it constitutes experience.
What are the three elements/variables involving leadership?
The leader - quality of personality or character; the situation - partly constant, partly varying; the group - the followers, their needs and values.