Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success Imperial College London [Evidence Of Engagement and Short REFLECTION]

ruthmarcelyne2022
Jun 11, 2024
24 min read

Updated: Nov 6, 2024

Why this artefact was Included

Developing the competency of creative thinking was not a straight forward or clear path for me. So I decided to complete a short course to form a foundation for my understanding of creative thinking from which I can identify areas to develop or learn more about to become a competent creative thinker.

WEEK 1: Introduction to the Principles of Creativity

Mother and father of innovation:

This topic was about understanding the phrase "Necessity is the Mother of Invention” and therefore that the father of invention is opportunity which presents the need for an invention. When there is a problem, creative ideas are needed to solve them. This course is about creativity, whether you have a problem, requirement, or issue that you need to tackle, or some wonderful opportunity and you want lots of creative ideas. We will be exploring the fundamentals of creativity and the series of creativity tools. Enabling you to build a toolbox of skills that you can roll out whenever there's a need or opportunity to tackle. By understanding the fundamentals of creativity, one is able to bring together a toolbox of skills and be more creative and effective in both one’s work, personal or everyday life.

Discussion Prompt: What is Creativity to You?

Creativity is not bound by a single definition. We can each express our own meaning of creativity as we describe what we experience when new ideas are formed.

In the discussion prompt below, we invite you to share your definition of creativity.

Discussion Prompt: Definitions of Creativity

Creativity can be found in your simple daily tasks through to ground-breaking scientific discoveries. There have been many definitions of creativity in literature and academia to define sudden bursts of brilliance.

Here is a list of well-respected definitions:

"Creativity is the process of change, of development, of evolution, in the organisation of subjective life (Ghiselin,1952)"
"Creativity is the forming of associative elements into new combinations which either meet requirements or are in some way useful (Mednick, 1962)"
"Creativity denotes a person’s capacity to produce new or original ideas, insights, inventions, or artistic products, which are accepted by experts as being of scientific, aesthetic, social or technical value (Vernon, 1989)"
"Creativity is imagination with responsibility (Sae Ra Kung, 2009)"

The study of creativity reveals patterns behind a creative burst. These patterns become the various tools we can learn to inspire our innate ability.

From the list above, which is your favourite definition of creativity and why?

Levels of Creativity

1. Brilliance

2. Personal creativity

3. Paradigm/Domain creativity

4. Forced/ Industrial creativity

Creativity is the ability to imagine or invent something new of value. The value may be personal societal, financial or some combination of these. Creativity is not the ability to create something out of nothing, but the ability to generate new ideas by combining, changing and reapplying existing ideas. Some creative ideas are astonishing an brilliant while other are simple and practical that no one seems to have thought of yet.

Usually, people link the term creativity only with transformational or major breakthrough ideas. However, creativity exists on at least two levels; a lower and a higher level, with each level representing a different type of creative problem solving. For example Big c vs little c or Eminent vs everyday creativity.

Lower level creativity is often referred to as small "c" creativity, whereas the higher level is referred to as big "C" creativity. These levels account for modest, everyday changes, through to grand paradigm-shifts.

Creativity can also be categorized as P&H which refers to Psychological creativity or Historical creativity. These levels account for an idea that has occurred to an individual for the first time, versus the first time an idea has ever occurred in the history of the human race.

Discussion Prompt: Small "c" creativity

Small "c" creativity describes the small ideas that add to our everyday lives. This can include cooking dinner or rearranging your cupboards, enhanced in some manner. They are not things that will make you rich or famous, but they are every day, small accomplishments, which enrich and enhance our lives.

Therefore, creativity is not just found in an engaging picture hanging on the wall, it can be found in actions and objects. When you woke up this morning to get ready for your day, you used many objects that embody creativity, which in turn made your day a little easier.

Tell us about an example of creativity that you encounter in your daily life and explain why it embodies creativity for you.

Discussion Prompt: Big "C" Creativity

Big "C" creativity goes beyond the everyday problem solving, where humankind has made giant leaps in, for example, literature and academia where evidence of grand creativity can be found. These milestones can be embodied or represented by objects, be it the spaceship that took the first person to the moon, or a painting that provoked a new movement of thoughts and techniques.

In the Discussion Prompt below, tell us about an example of grand creativity that you have been inspired by and explain its significance in terms of scientific, aesthetic, social or technical values.

Creative Environments

In order for people to come up with novel ideas there needs to be a limited amount of stress that they experience. A stress response can, through the release of endorphins, prevent people from being able to think about new ideas. So we need to create a low stress environment, to encourage creative thinking.

Physical and mental environments need to be considered. This can be achieved by protecting participants from the consequences of considering new ideas. Reassurance should be given that if a new idea is followed, then the whole group will provide support. And will try and solve any problems that arise. Generating high trust is essential.

Discussion prompt: When are you Creative?

Have you recognised that there are particular moments when you feel more creative than others?

Or in contrast, is your creativity suffocated when you are forcing yourself to be or place the expectation upon yourself to be creative on demand?

Your mental focus (or lack of focus) and environment can have a significant influence on your ability to be more creative. Recognizing these factors generates more time in your day for creative thoughts to flow.

List five factors that you think may influence your creativity. Is it a place, an object or a time of day?

Creative Environment - Part 2

Relaxation aids production and realisation of ideas. When you are relaxed your subconscious is highly active. This aides communication between your consciousness and subconscious. And hence the production and realizations of ideas.

It has been said that the parents of an invention are "Necessity" and "Opportunity". There is a necessity for intervention and change in almost every sector. In order to tackle these challenges or opportunities, creativity can be used as the tool for transformation. You can tackle more challenges around you when given the right tools to invent the solution.

WEEK 2: Creativity Tools

In Week 1 of the Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success course we learned about the different ways that creativity can be defined and expressed. In Week 2 we learned that there are multiple ways that creativity can be unlocked. These different ways are called creativity tools. Creativity tools help us to think creatively in order generate innovative ideas, approaches or solutions.

Creative tools

Creative tools are a way to increase our ability to come up with creative ideas. Many creativity tools exist examples are boundary shifting, various types of brainstorming, and checklists. Creativity tools can enhance fluency, flexibility, and originality. Fluency is quality of the ideas. Flexibility is how different the ideas are from each other. Originality is how unique the ideas are. Creativity tools do not come up with the idea for you but instead help in the process of generating innovative ideas. These tools can be used at any step of the creative thinking process but are mainly oriented around problem exploration, idea generation, and concept evaluation. Creativity tools mainly assist by ensuring that the problem can be understood in relatively simple terms, and thus is used in the short-term memory of the creative thinking process. It helps to filter out the ideas so that the long-term memory creativity thinking process can be more efficient as well as allow for the short-term memory to continue the generative process and thereby retention of key information.

Top 6 Brainstorming Techniques

Brainstorming is a type of creativity tool that can generative creative ideas, it is not used to generate fully developed products. There are rules to brainstorming that can make it more productive. The various types of brainstorming which include Flipchart, Post-its, Brainwriting, Alphabet, Grid, and Circle brainstorming.

Brainstorming puts an emphasis on quantity rather than quality of ideas.

There are a series of well-established rules that can help a brainstorming session run smoothly. These include having no more than 10 people present to aid effective group dynamics. Don't criticize or mock-up any ideas, statements, or individuals during the session. Have lots of flip charts, marker pens, pencils, and paper available. Make sure you introduce and state the brief clearly and define a set period of time for the session.

When brainstorming you should be careful about who you choose to participate, try to not include intimidating or sceptic people. Speak with them beforehand to come to a mutual understanding as to whether they should be included or not.

Knowledge Check: Creativity Tools (Week 1 and Week 2 Quiz)

Brainstorming Tools

Flip Chart

Involves introducing topic and writing all ideas on a white sheet of paper. Then choosing one or two from the compiled list which can be discussed in detail as a group.

The following steps are a reminder of the Flip Chart brainstorming process:

During preparation, ensure that the brief defines the problems and that people, pens and drawing surface are available

Organize the group so that all can see the display medium

Remind participants of the brief

Invite solutions for a period of time (no criticism allowed)

Record ideas

End the session when the frequency of ideas has reduced and energy levels of the group have dropped

Review or reinvigorate for another session

Re-review the material to see if additional ideas are inspired by (for instance, a combination of two of the suggestions)

The disadvantage of the flipchart method is that it is a one-sided approach and there is only one facilitator which writes down the ideas.

Post-it

Post-its were born for brainstorming. They are a great size to focus and record a single idea. As Post-its can be peeled off a surface and re-applied several times, the ideas can then be rearranged and ordered into groups of similar ideas. The approach encourages a group to come together and generate ideas simultaneously. 

Here’s a summary of the steps involved in a typical Post-it session.

Define the brief

Distribute the brief to the participants in advance of the session

Remind the participants of the brief

Allow participants to record ideas for 10-20 min

Review the ideas generated individually or inspire additional ideas

Allow for a further idea-generation session to take place

Review the ideas generated collectively by asking participants to share their favorite ideas

Invite the group to categorize the ideas by rearranging the post its

Alphabet Brainstorming

In an Alphabet brainstorming session, participants are invited to work through the alphabet letter by letter. With one set parameter, the letter itself, it inspires a wide range of ideas. It also encourages the creative use of the letter to form a sentence or phrase, rather than an idea that is one or two words.

The session should always be concluded by reviewing the ideas generated. If necessary, this can be immediately followed by exploring opportunities to combine ideas and seeing whether any of the suggestions provoke additional avenues for exploration.

Here's a summary of the steps involved in a typical alphabet brainstorming session.

Define the brief

Distribute the brief to the participants in advance of the session

Remind the participants of the brief Record suggested ideas start with the letter A

Continue with each letter of the alphabet sequentially

Review the ideas generated collectively by asking participants to comment on their favourite ideas.

E-tivity: Try Alphabet Brainstorming!

Now it is your turn to try Alphabet Brainstorming!

Come up with 3 ideas on how to reduce plastic waste. Each of your ideas for this E-tivity in Alphabet Brainstorming, should use the first letter of your name.

Regulate the amount of plastic that can be used in a single product

Reuse plastic where it can be for example plastic containers for margarine can be used as lunch boxes.

Recycle initiative should be made easier for people to follow, for example colour coding the plastic to match the dustbin it needs to go into.

Brainwriting

This technique eliminates the disadvantage of multiple people having to speak and share their idea to a single facilitator.

Here's a summary of the steps involved in a typical brainwriting session:

Define and introduce the brief

Arrange the group in a circle

Distribute blank cards to each participant

Ask participants to sketch an idea on a card

Allow participants to silently, pass the card to the next group member in one direction

Ask participants to read the card received and see if it inspires an idea (several idea cards will be being passed around the group)

Collect all cards after 10-20 min

Review the ideas generated collectively by asking participants to share their favourite ideas

Grid Brainstorming

The number of columns dictates the number of ideas needed to initiate the process. The number of rows dictates how many times the idea is passed on and developed. By the end of a session, many ideas have been generated and developed by using the inspiration of previously generated ideas.

Here's a summary of the steps involved in a typical grid brainstorming session

Provide group members with a grid

Define and introduce the brief to the group

Ask participants to sketch and complete the top row

When finished, ask participants to place the sheets in the middle for someone else to work on the next row developing the ideas further

Once the grid is complete, review ideas as a group

Discussion Prompt: Application of Grid Brainstorming

Well done for getting through the Week 2 course material. Now, it's time for you to put the theory that you have learnt into practice. 

This E-tivity consists of three steps and is focused on grid brainstorming. This is a great method for building upon ideas from the first session, gathering inspiration from the group's ideas.

Using the principles of grid brainstorming, we would like you to sketch three ideas to improve city mobility. 

Step 1 

Use this grid and sketch three initial ideas in the top three boxes of column one, two and three. You can print off the grid and do this by hand, or add your sketches on your computer. 

To upload your sketches to the Discussion:

Add a new post and input your title as "My grid for city mobility - Topic"

Take a screenshot of your sketches and add it as an image in your post.

Add some descriptions to further explain your ideas. If you have printed off the grid and completed it by hand, feel free to take a picture and upload it this way.

Knowledge Check: Grid Brainstorming

WEEK 3: Thinking Styles

In week three we learned the different thinking styles that can be helpful in creativity. We learned about the principles and applications of the different types of thinking styles, How they can be applied at an individual level, group, professional and personal situations so that this competency can be developed in a way that is beneficial in all areas of life.

The Value of Diversity

Diversity is an essential ingredient to creativity. When we experience a new culture we learn new ways of approaching and doing things, diversifying our thinking. So if we are looking to generate more creative ideas to a problem, one way we can achieve this is to diversify our thinking.

When we bring a group of people together from various backgrounds, we generate a broader scope of knowledge to extract information from and build ideas upon, injecting diversity into our thinking.

The same way that successful people utilise various ways to become successful, there are various ways of thinking to become a creative thinker.

Principles of various thinking styles

The primary principle of the six hats technique is to enhance the structure of thinking so that decision making and idea evaluation can be greatly improved.

The six hats technique provides a framework to help people think clearly and thoroughly by adopting and directing different modes of thinking in one direction at a time. These different modes of thinking are characterized by six different coloured hats. This is to enable more expansive, increased creativity and decision-making. 

Divergent thinking concerns the approach to  generate many possible solutions to a challenge or opportunity. Conversely, convergent thinking is a process of consideration of various ideas and their refinement and selection in order to identify which ones to take forward. Design thinking tends to evolve phases of iteration, coming up with ideas, prototyping and testing, revisiting previous considerations, problem-solving and implementation. Through the iterative process of ideation, prototyping and testing, problems can be transformed into opportunities. 

Systems thinking involves taking a holistic approach to how different parts interrelate. Analytical thinking involves breaking down a challenge or information into its constituent parts. Critical thinking involves taking into account a wide range of relevant factors in evaluating an issue. The key aspect of critical thinking is exploring the evidence that supports a view or otherwise. Analogical reasoning involves finding relation between two scenarios and seeing if something of value can be inferred as a result. Inductive reasoning involves the use of knowledge and theories to inform a conclusion or a new theory. Conversely, deductive reasoning involves verification of a new or emerging theory by testing it against different scenarios. Aspects of creative thinking can also involve some of the following; brainstorming, using any of the approaches that we've already introduced.

Different Thinking Styles in Practice

You can use different thinking styles in a group scenario, such as a meeting or on your own. You don't need to explicitly name the approach you're using. You can name the approach as a prompt in a meeting or in teaching. Or if you want a group to follow the principles being invoked. But you can readily apply the principles of a type of thinking, without even naming the methods. Some of the benefits of a range of thinking styles, are that they provide different perspectives to be considered and are suited to different people. They can encourage cooperation and are extremely valuable for decision-making. They are also a suitable complement to the use of an evaluation matrix to ensure that the broad basis for a decision has been consumed.

Practice Assignment: Taking an Evidence Based Approach

Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: Thinking Styles

Design Thinking

Design thinking is a mindset and movement that originated in fields like architecture and has evolved into business and technology, focusing on creative problem-solving and user-centric solutions. It involves processes like discovery, envisioning, questioning, experimentation, feedback, and integration, while considering cognitive functions like memory, emotions, and personality. Design thinking aims to transform current states into desired ones through iterative activities such as ideation, prototyping, and testing. Promoted by figures like Tim Brown from IDEO and Roger Martin from the Rotman School, it has been adopted across various sectors, combining design principles with organizational change knowledge. Key activities include tolerating ambiguity, seeing the big picture, making decisions with clear criteria, teamwork, and diverse communication methods. Overall, it integrates diverse inputs to create meaningful, user-focused outcomes.

Peer-graded Assignment: Thinking Styles in Practice

The aim of this peer review is to assess whether one of your peers on the course has understood and engaged in the principles of divergent and convergent thinking.

By engaging with this process, you can receive feedback from your peers, which can help you confirm your understanding of important principles in creativity.

This type of task helps you gain experience in a fundamental facet of creativity and brainstorming: that the quantity of ideas, generated through divergent thinking, can promote quality, through the selection and refinement of a preferred concept during a convergent thinking phase.

Divergent Thinking

We would like you to come up with ideas to address the following challenge

Choose one of:

How to be stylish and fashionable without the waste;
How to enable medicine compliance for a person who needs to take 5 different medicines per day at different times;
How to enable positive gaming experiences without risking addiction or games disengaging due to perceptions of over-gaming.

Convergent Thinking

Now we would like you consider the diverse ideas you have generated and refine these down to a just one or two for further consideration. For each idea we want you to record the rationale for taking the idea forward or not.

How to be stylish and fashionable without the waste

Create clothing that can be worn multiple ways.

Having more thrifting and donation stores in communities so they are easily accessible for people to patriciate and buy secondhand clothing.
Teaching people how to mend clothes, sew or create new outfits from materials of clothing they do not wear anymore.
Create an app for people to trade clothing they do not wear but are in good condition.
Shop for clothing made from natural materials
Rent clothing for big events, for example ballgowns, suits.

The best solution is creating clothing that can be worn multiple ways because it is versatile so it can be worn for multiple occasions eliminating the need for new clothing, if it is designed well, it creates incentive because it saves the customer money, and it helps for less clothing t be bought which means less waste.

Reasons for Not Choosing the Alternatives:

Having more thrifting and donation stores: Infrastructure: Requires significant investment in setting up and maintaining stores. People may still prefer new items over secondhand, limiting the impact.
Teaching people how to mend clothes, sew, or create new outfits: Not everyone has the time or interest to learn these skills. It may be challenging to reach a large audience effectively.
Create an app for people to trade clothing: Requires a significant enough number of users to be effective. Needs continuous updates and management to ensure smooth operation.
Shop for clothing made from natural materials: Natural materials can be more expensive, making it less accessible for everyone. Not all brands offer a wide range of natural material options.
Rent clothing for big events: Very narrow solution, only applicable for special occasions, not everyday wear. Renting involves logistics like shipping and returns, which can be inconvenient.

Different Thinking Styles in Practice

You can use different thinking styles in a group scenario, such as a meeting or on your own. You don't need to explicitly name the approach you're using. You can name the approach as a prompt in a meeting or in teaching. Or if you want a group to follow the principles being invoked. But you can readily apply the principles of a type of thinking, without even naming the methods.  Some of the benefits of a range of thinking styles, are that they provide different perspectives to be considered and are suited to different people. They can encourage cooperation and are extremely valuable for decision-making. They are also a suitable complement to the use of an evaluation matrix to ensure that the broad basis for a decision has been consumed.

Discussion Prompt: Share your Creativity Style

We'd like you to share your experience in the Discussion Prompt below, reflecting on the creativity tools you've used so far in this course and how they have been used - or could be used - in your professional or daily life.

WEEK 4: Morphological Analysis

In the previous weeks, you have been experimenting with a range of creativity tools which will allow you to diversify your approach to thinking. To further strengthen your ideation skills, in this week we will introduce Morphological Analysis; an idea-generating tool that approaches problems from lots of different angles whilst provoking many new ways of creative thinking.

Introduction to Morphological Analysis

Sometimes it’s easy to get stuck in our own ways of thinking when trying to solve a problem. We tend to stick to what we know, and for this reason sometimes we miss out on a novel solution. Utilizing a wide range of creativity tools in idea generation can push you out of your comfort zone and generate ideas that would not normally spring to mind.

Principles of Morphological Analysis

Morphological analysis can be used to generate additional ideas that would not normally spring to mind. The technique involves considering the function of a generic solution to a problem, and breaking it down into a number of sub-systems or sub-functions. For each subsystem or sub-function, you need to generate a variety of means to fulfill all these. The sub-functions and potential means of fulfilling each of these sub-functions can be arranged in a grid. An overall solution is then formulated by selecting one means for each sub-function, and the combination of these forms the overall solution. A series of ideas or means for fulfilling each of these has been developed in the chart. The grids can be filled in by text or by sketches, depicting the potential means of fulfilling the sub-system requirements. The morphological analysis creativity tool relies upon the user's selection of sub-function options to synthesize an overall solution. The user can explore the design space systematically using their experience to guide the outcome, or experimentally. The use of morphological charts requires consideration of the function of sub-systems rather than less specific details. In using a chart, the selection can be made of one means of fulfilling a subsystem from a given row. An overall solution is then synthesized by pulling all of these elements together. Once you've made a selection, you can then do a sketch or synthesis where you pull the elements you've selected together and create an overall solution. It's in the sketching or synthesis that formulation of the connections or synthesis between the subsystems occurs. By doing a selection and then a sketch or synthesis several times, making different selections each time, it's possible to come up with a wide range of options from a single chart. Early ideas may emerge that might not be practical, but may nevertheless inspire further thought. As well as diverse ideas emerging from the chart by making the selections wheels, driven wheels, bottle gas, gears and chefs, urning wheels, hydraulic ram, and seated towards the front, the conventional form for a forklift truck is possible. Of interest, if a small variation in the selection is made, a substantial difference in the overall outcome is possible as embodied in the telly truck innovation, which gives a significant number of additional functionalities, such as being able to reach over a pallet or unload a flatbed truck from just one side.

Knowledge Check: Morphological Analysis

Peer-graded Assignment: Application of Morphological Analysis

My Submission:

Morphological Analysis - Plot Line

At this point in the course, you will have seen how MA can be applied as a way to redesign complex mechanical systems. However, the tool isn't limited to this kind of problem. MA can be used in fields from songwriting to business strategy.

Here, we'll be using MA to construct a movie plot line.

Can be a value in considering alterative ideas.

Value needs to be given to the subsystems, in this case the plot line

Peer-graded Assignment: Plot Line Challenge

It's now time to generate your own plot for a movie.

Read the instructions below carefully.

Download the Morphological Chart for Fictional Narratives.
Make a selection from each row of the chart for your plot line. We recommend spending 15-20 minutes to make a selection and 1 hour to synthesise your ideas.
Record your pitch in any one of the following formats you feel appropriate: (1) a 90 seconds video, or (2) a 90 second audio presentation (e..g a powerpoint presentation with an audio VoiceOver), or (3) a storyboard (e.g a series of frames with some text narrative explaining your ideas)

Once you finish, upload your file into the response box below.

My Submission:

WEEK 5: TRIZ -Theory of Inventive Problem Solving

In week 5, the course continued to enhance my fluency, flexibility and originality of idea generation by introducing me to another creativity tool called the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ). It will particularly focused on application of TRIZ and the TRIZ Contradiction Matrix and how it can be used in problem, both at an individual and in group level.

Introduction

This week you will be introduced to TRIZ which is a technology-based, systematic methodology that aims to overcome "psychological inertia" and generate a large range of solution concepts. With the use of a contradiction matrix, it provides a framework and toolbox for systematic, inventive problem solving.

Introduction to TRIZ and its Tools

TRIZ was produced through years of development and therefore represents a short-cut to experience because it is a method of transforming a specific problem into a general problem. By abstracting the problem, you can identify solutions that have previously been successful in solving the general problem, and then apply these principles to your specific problem.

The TRIZ process is clearly illustrated in the figure below.

Short Cut to Experience

TRIZ is a Russian acronym which can be translated as a theory of inventive problem-solving. It is a technology-based systematic methodology for generating solution concepts. The emphasis in TRIZ is on finding inventive solutions and concepts from other fields that use available resources. he became convinced that there were definite patterns to the way innovation was occurring and found that the same fundamental solutions were being used over and over again. Genrich and the office team developed a series of tools that pulls this experience together and can be applied to solving new problems. Since the original work, the analysis has been extended, and some of the modern TRIZ databases rely upon the analysis of millions of patents. As mentioned, TRIZ represents a shortcut to experience. You could spend your life studying, looking at iconic designs, taking note of the latest scientific breakthroughs, and generally expanding your knowledge base. This will combine with your own activities in a domain, provide a valuable set of experiences with which you can tackle problems. This gathering of experience though you takes time. The principles embodied in TRIZ can provide a faster route to the toolbox of lifetimes of experience. TRIZ involves the transformation of a specific problem into that of a general problem. The identification of solutions that have previously been successful for the general problem identified, and then the application of these principles to the specific problem. If the problem is made general, then it is possible to take advantage of the knowledge available from the solution of similar problems. The general solutions can then be transformed into specific ideas to resolve the specific problem.

TRIZ: Principles and Description

A common characteristic of problem solving is that in trying to improve one desirable parameter or property, another desirable property degrades. This characteristic of problem solving can be viewed as a trade off or contradiction. Conventional problem solving generally leads to a compromised solution. Altshuller noted that the most inventive solution is obtained when a technical problem containing a contradiction is solved by completely eliminating the contradiction. Altshuller found, that there were only 39 generic parameters which either improve or degrade. Examples of this parameters include items such as the weight of a moving object, speed, force, temperature, accuracy of measurement and ease of repair.

If the concept of contradiction in problem solving is accepted, then every problem can be described as a conflict between a pair of parameters. Altshuller and his collaborators observed that many patrons had in the past, resolved these individual conflicts in several different fields. He also found that the principles used to resolve these contradictions fully, not as a trade off or compromise solution could be described in a list of just 40 principles. Examples of these inventive principles include segmentation, asymmetry, prior counteraction. The segmentation principle for example, encourages considering dividing an object into smaller independent parts, making an object sectional, increasing the degree of objects divisibility or fragmentation. Asymmetry is widely used in fashion to produce interesting and engaging styles. Prior counteraction involves performing a mitigating task in advance. If you know that something is going to happen, then preparations for this can be made, or action taken in advance to either prevent it from happening or reduce the impact of the event occurring.

Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: TRIZ Principles and Parameters

Contradiction Matrix

One of the processes Altshuller developed was based on analysis of contradiction that was seen to have been resolved in the patent. Altshuller categorized this along with the principles used to resolve the contradiction, in a tool called the Contradiction Matrix. This gives an indication of which of the 40 inventive principles are most likely to be useful in resolving the contradiction. This tool has been found to be very powerful in tackling a wide range of applications. The matrix is organized in the form of 39 improving parameters and 39 worsening parameters, with each cell entry giving the most often used inventive principles that may be used to eliminate the contradiction. This matrix is known as the contradiction matrix and is one of the main triz tools. The contradiction matrix consists of a list of parameters so that the parameter that is getting better can be identified. In addition, the corresponding parameter that is getting worse can also be an identified. The improving parameters listed in the first column, and the worsening parameter in the first row. In the corresponding intersection between the improving and worsening parameter, the table gives a list of principles that can be explored in order to resolve the contradiction. A four-step process can be followed for using the contradiction matrix. Use the 39 parameters to identify critical features in the problem. Identify the contradictions between the parameters where one causes problems with another. Use the contradiction matrix to identify principles that can be used to resolve the contradictions. Use the numbers from the contradiction matrix to look up resolution principles and use these principles to find solutions to the problem. The principles in the table for a given entry are listed in order of priority, based on analysis of previous solutions. The principal, most likely from experience to yield a helpful solution, is listed first. If exploring this principle proves unhelpful, then the next principle in lists can be tried, and so on until a solution is apparent or options have been exhausted.

Practice Assignment: Application of TRIZ - 1

Practice Assignment: Application of TRIZ - 2

Discussion Prompt: Share Your Inventive Principles from Application of Triz - 2

In the previous e-tivity: Application of Triz - 2, you research on the contradiction and choose the possible improving and worsening parameters. You also identify the reasonable parings of chosen parameters and inventive principles.

In this discussion prompt, we'd like you to:

Share a few of your suggested choices of paring parameters and principles with your peers.

WEEK 6: SCAMPER

The final creativity tool in the course and it is important in generation of ideas and improvement of the existing ones; SCAMPER. I became familiar with the concepts of SCAMPER and gained proficiency in its application in various unusual, personal or professional situations, whilst inspired related ideas.

Introduction to SCAMPER

SCAMPER is a memorable acronym where each letter reminds us of a word or phrase to provoke and inspire related ideas.

SCAMPER stands for:

Substitute
Combine
Adapt
Magnify/ Minify/ Modify
Put to other uses
Eliminate
Reverse/ Rearrange

SCAMPER can be applied to most domains, be it different fields of work or everyday issues where it is almost applied intrinsically.

Discussion Prompt: Application of SCAMPER to the Ocean Plastic Crisis

Now, it is your turn to apply SCAMPER to the following challenge!

A new plastic economy needs to be developed to tackle the ocean plastic crisis. We have an individual responsibility to do what we can in our everyday lives to makes smart choices and be a part of the much needed change to reduce plastic.

In your post, select 2 SCAMPER provocations and explain the 2 ideas inspired by each to tackle the ocean plastic crisis.

Reminder

The 7 SCAMPER principles are as follows:

Substitute
Combine
Adapt
Magnify or Modify
Put to other uses
Eliminate
Reverse or Rearrange.

Creative Problem Solving using SCAMPER

SCAMPER and use of different Thinking Styles

The tools learnt in this course on creativity are versatile and can be combined to guide and enhance an idea generation session. 

In week 3 you learnt about a range of different thinking styles that can be applied to tackle a problem or opportunity from differing perspectives.

One of the types of thinking introduced in Unit 3 was design thinking. A facet of design thinking is to focus on the needs of the user or stakeholder. This can involve putting yourself in the place of the user and attempting to see the need from their perspective. This principle of empathising with the user can be applied when you are using each of the SCAMPER provocations. For example, you can put yourself in the shoes of the user for a product or service and consider what can you substitute, what can you combine, what can you adapt and so on, with a view to generate more user focussed solutions.

On the next page, the following assessment will test your understanding on the principles and application of SCAMPER.

Have a go at completing the following multiple choice, text input and checkboxes questions, to reinforce the key concepts that you have learned so far.

Graded Assignment: Knowledge Check: SCAMPER

Discussion Prompt: Using Scamper to Improve Wellbeing

Mental health and well-being present issues which leave few of us unaffected. Together, we are capable of being more mindful of our personal wellbeing, as well as having compassion and understanding for those around us.

In the discussion prompt below, you are invited to share and discuss with your peers, your 7-step plan to improve your mental health and well-being using the 7 provocations of SCAMPER to develop each step.

As a reminder SCAMPER stands for:

Substitute

Combine

Adapt

Magnify/Minify/Modify

Put to other uses

Eliminate

Reverse/Rearrange

WEEK 7: Using the Tools In Combination

The last week of this short course ends with asking us to use the tools learned in combinations and apply them in contexts and scenarios that are also related to our own discipline or context. This aims to help reinforce the concepts that have been learnt so far and enable us to use the creativity tools freely in problem solving and idea generation.

Creative Problem Solving

We are introduced to a creative problem solving technique that utilises both divergent and convergent thinking.

The Double Diamond Model

Did you know that creativity within a design process can be framed within a model that is referred to as the "Double Diamond"?

Indeed, the Double Diamond model is an illustration of a well-established four-step creative process which can help you visualise the creative journey and decide which tools are best suited at any given point.

Circle Brainstorming Steps

If you would like to apply this technique, these are the steps that you need to follow:

Form a group of around 12 to 50 people
Divide the group into teams of 2 or 3
Arrange chairs in the room into an inner and outer loop so that each team is facing another team
Have the teams in the inner loop pitch an idea for 2-3 minutes to the team that they're facing
Allow 5 minutes for feedback from the teams on the outer loop
Move each team on the inner loop round so that they're facing a new feedback team
Repeat the cycle of pitching and feedback three or four times
Switch it round so that the teams on the outer loop are pitching to the teams on the inner loop, which will provide feedback
Repeat this process until all teams have received feedback from their pitches 3 or 4 times.

E-tivity: B-Link

B-Link will enable you to create novel and interesting connections from a single keyword. You'll then use the software to generate evocative images from these new connections, which further enhances your creativity and allows you to generate new ideas that you may not have explored otherwise.

Go to the B-Link Software, and follow the instructions below:

Pick a keyword and type it into the search box
Explore the connections suggested by the software and play with the number of minimum steps to find more distant connections
Choose a connection that interests you and use the 'Search Path' tool to find other ways that the two words could be connected
Finally, use the visual combination tool to create your own provocative images.