Creative thinking What is creativity You frequently

Creative thinking

What is creativity? You frequently encounter a problem that staples used in attaching fly -screens do not penetrate the timber frame well. Suggest two or three creative alternative approaches, bearing in mind what the ultimate objective is. We need to move beyond engineering solutions. 1. Use glue instead of staples. 2. Use insect repellent to kill flies. 3. Replace screens with glass and an air conditioner. 4. Use a softer frame. 5. Kill flies with UV lights. 6. Clamp the screens into the frame. 7. Eliminate the window and use a camera and a monitor to view the outside. 8. Lure insects away from the window with food or pheromones. From CE 203, Fall 2005, exam 1

Constraints

Techniques • • • Brainstorming Concept fan Lateral thinking Parallel thinking/six hats Et cetera } Edward de Bono

Brainstorming Goal: Cardinal rule: Tips: 1. Have fun. 2. Think radically. 3. Violate the constraints. 4. Work quickly. 5. Do not dwell on any idea. 6. Work off of ideas of others. 7. Stay focused on the problem. 8. Write down the ideas. 9. Use a random noun to “seed” when stuck.

Exercise

Concept fan 1. 2. 3. 4. Place the problem in a circle. Fan out with possible solutions. If needed, step back for a broader view. Generate solutions to the broader problem. 5. Repeat steps 3 -5.

Example Impose large fines Imprison polluters Make polluting unprofitable Control pollution entering sea Reduce pollution from ships Improve WQ From mindtools. com Monitor Improve sewage treatment Ban solid discharge Extend outfalls Clean water at local beach Filter sea water Patrol beach litter Contain trash dumped at sea Inspire public outrage Allow free dumping at ports Control ag & industrial pollution Eliminate it Reduce return to beaches Monitor river WQ

Lateral thinking “Approaching problems indirectly at diverse angles instead of concentrating on one approach at length” Problem: Muhammad won't come to the mountain. 1. The mountain must come to Muhammad (the classic answer). 2. Use a video conference. 3. Use an intermediary. 4. Ask him what he wants to come to the mountain 5. See if he'll accept a free timeshare slot in a holiday home, which just happens to be on the mountain. 6. Wait until he changes his mind. 7. Cut your losses and tackle a different problem. From wikipedia. org

Exercise From wikipedia. org

Lateral thinking puzzles 1. A carrot, a pile of pebbles, and a pipe lying together in the middle of a field. 2. Joe, wearing a mask and carrying an empty sack, leaves his house. An hour later he returns with a full sack. He goes into a room and turns out the lights 3. A man walks into a bar and asks for a drink. The bartender pulls out a gun and points it at him. The man says, "Thank you, " and walks out 4. Mr. Browning is glad the car ran out of gas. 5. A man ate some food that was not poisoned, yet nevertheless caused him to die. 6. A man leaves a motel room, goes to his car, honks the horn, and returns. From rinkworks. com