Creative Problem Solving for Managers: Developing Skills for Decision Making and Innovation

382 Pages·2013·6.27 MB·English

by  Tony Proctor

Creative Problem Solving
for Managers
Fourth edition
How can managers tackle complex problems? How do you encourage innovation? How do
you implement new solutions? Is creativity the key to management success? In answering
these questions, this accessible text provides a lively introduction to the essential skills of
creative problem solving.
Using extensive case studies and examples from a variety of business situations, Creative
Problem Solving for Managers explores a wide range of problem-solving theories and
techniques, illustrating how these can be used to solve a multitude of management problems.
Thoroughly revised, this new edition retains the accessible and imaginative approach to
problem-solving skills of previous editions.
Coverage includes:
(cid:129) advice on overcoming blocks to creativity
(cid:129) key techniques, including lateral thinking, morphological analysis, synectics and group
problem solving
(cid:129) new PowerPoint slides to aid course leaders
(cid:129) a revised and updated chapter on using computers to stimulate creative thought.
As creativity is increasingly being recognized as a key skill for successful managers, this book
will be welcomed as a readable and comprehensive introduction for students and practising
managers alike.
Tony Proctor is Emeritus Professor of Marketing at the University of Chester, UK.
Given the uncertainties of the organisational environment, the ability to creatively approach,
manage and resolve problems that are difficult to describe and structure will be an increasingly
valued business skill. This new edition of Creative Problem Solving for Managers offers
up-to-date guidance on how to approach and resolve such problems.
Jon Curwin, Senior Learning and Teaching Fellow,
Birmingham City Business School, UK
You will never again approach creativity and problem solving in quite the same light. Taking
into account both the ‘what’ and the ‘how’, this valuable book provides readers with the
knowledge needed to solve a range of management problems. A masterpiece!
Dr Kim Hua Tan, Reader, The University of Nottingham, UK
Creativity is a fundamental skill for business managers. Tony Proctor’s book provides an
excellent practical guide to this topic. The case studies, creativity techniques and the pragmatic
knowledge and insights within this book make it essential reading for managers, facilitators
and students alike.
Dr Elspeth McFadzean, Visiting Academic Fellow,
Henley Business School, the University of Reading, UK
Essential reading for anyone aspiring to enhance organisational creativity and innovation.
Supported by comprehensive and in-depth discussion of theory, this book provides an approach
to creativity that really does work in practice. I have used previous editions as a core text at
undergraduate and postgraduate levels and am inspired by the updates in this fourth edition.
Lots of useful cases and examples to stimulate debate, including the use of technologies in
creativity, brings this edition right up to date.
Dr Pauline Loewenberger, Lecturer,
the University of Bedfordshire Business School, UK
This is an excellent book for understanding how best to approach complex situations and
come out with creative solutions to the strategic problems that managers face. Grounded in
practice and providing detailed case studies of real business situations, this book gives
readers a solid foundation for developing their own creative solutions to problems.
Paul Hughes, Senior Lecturer, Durham University, UK
Creative
Problem Solving
for Managers
Developing skills for decision
making and innovation
Fourth Edition
Tony Proctor
R
Routledge
Taylor &. Francis Group
LONDON AND NEW YORK
First published 1999
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Reprinted 2002 (twice), 2003
Second Edition 2005
Third Edition 2010
Fourth Edition 2014
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2014 Tony Proctor
The right of Tony Proctor to be identified as author of this work has
been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval
system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Proctor, Tony.
Creative problem solving for managers: developing skills for decision
making and innovation/Tony Proctor. – 4.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Problem solving. 2. Decision making. 3. Management.
I. Title.
HD30.29.P763 2013
(cid:2)
658.4 03 – dc23
2013020152
ISBN: 978-0-415-71402-0 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-415-71403-7 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-88299-4 (ebk)
Typeset in Perpetua and Bell Gothic
by Florence Production Ltd, Stoodleigh, Devon, UK
Contents
List of illustrations x
Preface to the fourth edition xv
1 CREATIVITY AND ITS IMPORTANCE IN BUSINESS 1
Introduction 1
Changing times 2
Some definitions of creativity 3
Invention and creativity 4
The importance given to creativity in business 6
How creative thinking may be used in management 9
Conditions in which creative thinking is needed most 11
Paradigm shift 14
Questions 15
Cases 16
2 BLOCKS TO CREATIVITY 20
Introduction 20
The need to be ready for change 21
Mindset 21
When mindset blocks us 22
Other barriers to an individual’s creativity 23
Dealing with an individual’s blocks to creativity 23
Diagnosing whether someone is blocked in their thinking 25
How techniques help to overcome blocks 27
Blocks to organizational creative thinking and ways of dealing
with them 29
Elements and conditions of creative organizations 30
Questions 31
Cases 32
v
CONTENTS
3 THEORIES OF CREATIVITY AND THE CREATIVE
PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS 37
Introduction 37
Creative thinking 39
The investment theory of creativity 39
The brain as an information processor 41
Convergent and divergent thinking 45
The conditions of creative thinking 45
Origin of creativity 47
The cognitive theory of creativity 49
How we get ideas: the index metaphor 52
Problem-solving mechanisms 54
Analogical reasoning 55
Questions 59
Cases 59
4 PROBLEM SOLVING AND IMPROVISATION 61
Problem solving 61
Models 63
The problem-solving process 66
The problem-solving process and the creative process 69
Compositional and improvisational creativity 74
Some limitations on formal problem-solving approaches 76
Questions 78
Cases 78
5 FACTORS INFLUENCING PEOPLE’S ABILITY TO
UNDERTAKE IDEATION 82
What helps people get ideas 82
The techniques 85
Qualities of a creative person 85
Thinking style 87
Personality 87
Learning style 89
Mood or emotions 89
Problems in groups 90
The range of techniques and their suitability for solving different
types of problem 91
Conclusion 92
Questions 93
Cases 94
vi
CONTENTS
6 OBJECTIVE FINDING, FACT FINDING AND PROBLEM
FINDING/DEFINITION 97
Objective finding 99
Fact finding and problem definition/redefinition 101
Dimensional analysis 102
Redefinition approaches 106
Redefinition approaches: laddering 108
Redefinition approaches: goal orientation 109
Redefinition approaches: boundary examination 111
Redefinition approaches: progressive abstractions 113
Redefinition approaches: the ‘why’ method 114
Analytical techniques: decomposable matrices 114
Analytical techniques: cause-and-effect diagrams 117
Questions 119
Cases 119
7 MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND RELATED TECHNIQUES 124
Introduction 124
Checklists 125
Attribute listing 128
Morphological analysis 131
Force-fitting triggers 135
Heuristic ideation technique 138
Component detailing 139
Sequence-attribute modification matrix 141
Questions 143
Cases 144
8 BRAINSTORMING AND ITS VARIANTS 148
Introduction 148
Classical brainstorming 149
The process of brainstorming 152
Wildest-idea variant 156
Stop-and-go brainstorming 156
Round-robin brainstorming 156
Gordon–Little variation 156
Trigger method 157
Problems with brainstorming 158
Brainwriting 159
Brainlining 159
Questions 161
Cases 161
vii
CONTENTS
9 LATERAL THINKING AND ASSOCIATED METHODS 167
Introduction 167
Overview 168
Awareness 170
Assumptions 173
Alternatives 174
Provocative methods 178
Metaphorical thinking 184
Analogy 185
The discontinuity principle 187
Six Thinking Hats 187
Questions 188
Cases 189
10 SYNECTICS 193
Introduction 193
Synectics 194
Conducting synectics sessions 199
Synectics in action 205
Questions 208
Cases 209
11 PARADIGM BREAKING TECHNIQUES 215
Introduction 215
Weights for thought 215
Paradigm breaking techniques 218
Disruptive technology 226
Questions 227
Cases 227
12 MISCELLANEOUS IDEATION TECHNIQUES 231
Suggestion box, exhibits and competitions 231
Clichés, proverbs and maxims 232
Storyboarding 234
Scenario writing 235
Scenario day-dreaming 236
Bionics 240
Free association 240
Two words 242
Story writing 243
Mind map 246
TRIZ 251
Vision building 252
viii
CONTENTS
Questions 253
Cases 253
13 EVALUATION 256
Introduction 257
Sorting 258
Evaluation methods 260
The process of choosing 267
Qualitative evaluation: reverse brainstorming 269
Financial evaluation 271
Mathematical evaluation 272
Pay-off tables 273
Decision trees 273
Exercising choice 274
Questions 276
Cases 278
14 IMPLEMENTING IDEAS 286
Introduction 286
Ideas are not readily implemented 288
Sources of resistance to change 289
Role of communication in overcoming resistance to change 290
Putting ideas into practice 291
Reducing resistance to change 293
Climate for change 299
Questions 300
Cases 301
15 COMPUTER-ASSISTED CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING 303
Introduction 303
History of development 303
Structured approach to creative problem solving in computer
programs 306
Types of computer-assisted stimuli 306
Conventional software 309
Questions 319
Cases 319
Appendix 1: Case example of the creative problem-solving process 322
Appendix 2: Notes on problems 331
References 335
Author index 352
Subject index 355
ix