Mastering Creative Problem Solving for Business Professionals

Course Overview

This comprehensive online course is designed for MBA-level students and professionals seeking to enhance their creative problem-solving skills in a business context. The course will cover theoretical frameworks, practical applications, and innovative techniques to foster creativity and effective problem-solving in the workplace.

Course Objectives

• Understand the principles of creative problem solving (CPS) and its importance in business.
• Develop skills to identify problems, gather data, and formulate challenge questions.
• Learn techniques for brainstorming and generating innovative solutions.
• Implement strategies for evaluating ideas and executing action plans.

Course Structure

The course will be divided into six modules, each focusing on different aspects of creative problem solving:

Module 1: Introduction to Creative Problem Solving

• Overview of Creative Problem Solving
  • Definition and significance in the business environment.
  • The role of creativity in effective decision-making.
• Key Concepts
  • Divergent vs. convergent thinking.
  • The CPS process: an overview.

Module 2: Identifying and Defining Problems

• Understanding the Problem
  • Techniques for identifying underlying issues.
  • Importance of gathering relevant data.
• Formulating Challenge Questions
  • How to create effective questions that drive innovation.
  • Examples of challenge questions in real business scenarios.

Module 3: Generating Ideas

• Brainstorming Techniques
  • Structured brainstorming sessions: rules and best practices.
  • Mind mapping as a tool for idea generation.
• Encouraging Creativity
  • Techniques to foster a creative mindset among teams.
  • Overcoming barriers to creativity.

Module 4: Evaluating Solutions

• Idea Evaluation Methods
  • Criteria for assessing the feasibility and impact of ideas.
  • Tools for prioritizing solutions (e.g., SWOT analysis).
• Refining Ideas
  • Iterative processes for improving initial concepts.
  • Feedback mechanisms and peer reviews.

Module 5: Implementation Strategies

• Action Planning
  • Developing actionable steps to implement chosen solutions.
  • Setting measurable goals and timelines.
• Managing Change
  • Strategies for overcoming resistance to new ideas.
  • Communicating changes effectively within an organization.

Module 6: Case Studies and Practical Applications

• Real-world Applications
  • Analysis of successful creative problem-solving case studies from various industries.
• Interactive Workshops
  • Group activities simulating real business challenges.
  • Role-playing scenarios to practice skills learned throughout the course.

Course Delivery

• Format: Online with a mix of video lectures, readings, interactive discussions, and practical assignments.
• Duration: Approximately 6 weeks, with each module requiring about 3 hours of study per week.
• Assessment: Participants will complete quizzes, peer-reviewed assignments, and a final project demonstrating their understanding of creative problem-solving techniques.