Step or Stage 5:

Generate Creative & Logical Alternative Solutions

Creative Problem Solving & Analytical Problem Solving Are Both Needed

You must always be on the alert for alternative solutions. Generating creative and logical solutions is listed as a separate step or stage for emphasis of its importance and to be sure that you take a final look for creative problem solving ideas before starting to evaluate your tentative hypotheses. In actual practice, you should be watching for and originating creative problem solving and analytical problem solving ideas while working at Step or Stage 4, gathering evidence.

Logical Solutions and Trial & Error

Many problems can be solved by using gradual, systematic, steady, judicial reasoning, logic, and analytical problem solving

• Gather all the data and fit it together
• Trial and error is a standard method in problem solving

Creative Problem Solving Requires Innovative Solutions: Using Existing Ideas

• Search for other people’s ideas
• Millions of ideas are buried in the literature
• Adapt, change, combine ideas for your particular problem
• Curiosity leads to discovery of ideas

Creative Problem Solving: Use of Imagination

Creativity is usually described as taking two existing ideas and combining them into a new and better idea.

Creativity is also termed divergent or lateral thinking, insight, intuition, flash of inspiration, innovation, ideation, guided design, generative and/or productive thinking, etc.

• Visualize about your problem
• Use reflective thinking and “triggers.”

In Creative Problem Solving Use Reflective or Speculative Thinking

• Talk to yourself in both language and images.
• Daydream about your problem, even while doing other things.
• Jump back and forth between analytical problem solving and creative, imaginative and wild thinking.
• Imagine you are the subject you are interested in. this may produce ideas.
• “Triggers” help your memory. Your mind has millions of bits of information stored in it that can be recalled by “triggers” or “joggers” if you:
• Read, skip, and skim a variety of periodicals, books, and internet sites
• Experiment or visualize. Daydream and use imagery
• Attend conferences and exhibits
• Use checklists for creative problem solving

In Creative Problem Solving Use "Rest-Illumination"

• Load your mind with data and information about your problem and then
• Rest, take a break, or sleep.
• Think about your problem again.
• Watch for illumination, ideas, and solutions in reading books, magazines, newspapers, bibliography lists in reflective thinking

In Creative Problem Solving & Analytical Problem Solving, Remember as You Proceed:

Ask yourself, “Have I tried to originate alternative solutions?”

Humans’ superiority in intelligence is based on being able to go around obstacles by originating alternative solutions.

Remember, if something should have happened but didn’t, non-events can be significant.

Reach an impasse? Don’t give up. Seek help.

Engage in conversations. Try brainstorming with your friends or associates.

Remember, the time before retiring and the first minutes or hours before arising are especially good periods for creative problem solving ideas.

Keep an open mind and stay alert for creative ideas and solutions.

Anything (ethical) goes in problem solving.

Be a risk taker since new creative problem solving ideas require idea champions.

Next . . . Step or Stage 6: Now you have to chart your tentative solutions, test and evaluate the evidence and ideas you have accumulated thus far.