A.Classification of creative techniques (1)

Depending on the methods and means utilized, creative techniques can be categorized in seven groups as follows:

1. Conditioning/motivating/organizing techniques

The techniques, procedures and/or special conditions and means belonging to this group help create an environment that facilitates the removal of various mental blocks, unleashes natural creativity, etc.
Examples: Napoleon technique, listening to music
Other techniques from this group merely suggest the use of various helpful tools such as notebooks, stickers, boards, flip charts, etc.

2. Randomization

Since psychological inertia usually keeps an individual “inside the box” of his/her paradigms/perceptions/assumptions, forcing an individual to make more random attempts to solve a difficult problem were found to be very helpful. Randomization makes the search more chaotic.
Example: Brainstorming

3. Focusing techniques

Many people have difficulty with random idea generation when no guidelines or focusing steps or subjects are offered. Special focusing techniques are used to help an individual focus on one issue at a time and avoid frustration. Focusing elements (steps) may be presented with or without any particular order (random focusing).
Example:  Attribute listing

4. Systems

A system contains a set of focusing or random steps to be followed in a specific order.
Example: QFD

5. Pointed techniques

These techniques offer single or multi-step recommendations following a pre-determined, promising direction. This direction may be identified as useful based on intuition, experience or documented knowledge.
Examples:

6. Evolutionary directed techniques

These techniques offer directions according to fundamental patterns of evolution.
Example: Utilization of the TRIZ Patterns/Lines of Technological Evolution

7. Innovation knowledge-base techniques

These techniques utilize structured knowledge derived from the past human innovation experience.
Example: Contradiction Table and 40 Innovation Principles

 

Comparative Analysis of Creative Methods(2)

Method	Group							Source/Reference
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Random input (feature transfer, focused-objects technique, organized random search, picture stimulation)		X	X
Problem reversal				X	X
Questions Ask			X	X	X			Alex Osborn
Question Summary			X
Lateral Thinking			X	X	X
The Discontinuity Principle				X
Thinkertoys			X	X
Brainstorming		X		X
Forced Analogy		X	X
Attribute Listing			X					Robert Platt Crowford Creating Workforce Innovation, by Michael Morgan
Morphological Forced Connections				X				Koberg and Bagnall
Morphological Analysis				X				Zwicky
Imitation					X
Mind Maps *			X	X				Tony Buzan
Storyboarding	X		X	X				Sergei Eisenstein Walt Disney, 1928 Mike Vance, Creative Thinking J. Higgins, p.166
Synectics **			X	X	X			William Gordon
Lotus Blossom Technique			X	X				Matsumura Yasuo, Clover Management Research
In the Realm of the Senses			X	X				Mike Vance, Think Out of the Box
Drawing and Visual Thinking	X		X					Betty Edward and Robert McKim's Experiences in Visual Thinking, Stanford
Camelot					X			James Higgins 101
Checklists			X					James Higgins 101
Limericks and parodies		X						James Higgins 101
Role playing		X
Workout/retreats	X	X

 

Method	Group							Source/Reference
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Kepner-Tregoe			X	X
Draw a picture			X
Experience kit			X	X				IdeaScope, Cambridge
Fishbone diagram			X	X	X			Kaoru Ishikawa
King of the mountain		X
Redefining a problem/opportunity		X		X
Squeeze and stretch			X	X	X
What patterns exist?					X
Why-why diagram			X	X	X
Assumption reversal					X
Associations		X
Circle of opportunity		X
Deadlines	X
Fresh eye	X
Idea bits and racking	X
Idea notebook	X
Input-output				X
Listening to music	X
Name possible uses		X
The Napoleon technique	X
Product improvement checklist		X						Arthur B. VanGundy
Relatedness		X
Relational words		X
Reversal – dereversal					X
7x7 technique				X	X
Sleeping/dreaming on it	X
The two-words technique		X	X		X
Visualization		X
What if?			X
Gordon/Little			X	X	X
Group decision support systems	X							Wilson Learning Systems, Minnesota
Idea board	X
Idea triggers	X
Innovation committee	X
Intercompany innovation groups	X
Lion’s den	X
NHK method		X		X				Hiroshi Takahashi

 

Method	Group							Source/Reference
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Nominal group technique	X	X		X
Phillips 66	X	X		X				Don Phillips, Michigan
Photo excursion		X	X
Scenario writing		X	X
SIL method (combining)		X		X	X			Batelle, Germany
TKJ	X	X		X				Tokio Institute of Technology
Delphi	X			X
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)	X							Robert Dilts
Assumption Smashing					X
DO IT				X				The Art of Creative Thinking, by Robert W. Olson
LARC	X							Unleashing the Right Side of the Brain, by Robert Williams and John Stockmyer
Unconscious Problem Solving	X
Basadur Simplex process				X				http://www.basadursimplex.com/
Fuzzy Logic (Fuzzy Thinking)				X				Lotfi Zadeh Fuzzy Thinking, by Bart Kosko; Fuzzy Logic - The Revolutionary Computer Technology that is Changing the World, by Daniel McNeill and Paul Freiburger
SERENDIPITY	X	X
Wallas’ model				X				Graham Wallas (1926)
Rossman creativity model								Rossman (1931)
Working Paper: Models for the Creative Process								http://www.directedcreativity.com/ DirectedCreativity is a trademark of Paul E. Plsek & Associates, Inc.
Barron’s Psychic Creation Model	X			X				Henri Barron (1988)
Creative Problem Solving (CPS) Model				X				Parnes (1992) Isaksen and Trefflinger (1985)
Koberg and Bagnall's Universal Traveler Model				X
Robert Fritz’s Process for creation	X			X
Seven Steps by Roger von Oech				X
TRIZ Contradiction Table and 40 Innovation Principles	X		X	X	X	X	X
TRIZ Ideality Concept	X		X	X	X	X	X
TRIZ System Approach	X		X	X	X
Ideation/TRIZ Patterns/Lines of Evolutions	X		X	X	X	X	X

 

Method	Group							Source/Reference
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Ideation/TRIZ Patterns/Lines of Evolutions	X		X	X	X	X	X
Ideation/TRIZ Problem Formulation	X		X	X	X
Ideation/TRIZ ISQ	X		X	X	X
Ideation/TRIZ ARIZ	X		X	X	X	X
TRIZ Substance-Field Analysis	X		X	X	X
TRIZ 76 Standard Solutions	X		X	X	X	X	X
Ideation/TRIZ System of Operators	X		X	X	X	X	X
Ideation/TRIZ IPS	X		X	X	X	X	X
Ideation/TRIZ DE	X		X	X	X	X	X
Ideation/TRIZ AFD	X		X	X	X	X	X

* Software: http://www.ozemail.com.au/~caveman/Creative/Software/swindex.htm
** Software: Axon Idea Processor, Hypercard Software
Other software:
Mindlink
IdeaFisher

 

B. The Actual thinkers

I've placed here some links to Web site of personalities that are influencing today how we conceive innovation and creativity.

It is not an exhaustive list but I think that with those few people you'll get some good insights. Moreover, they are doing the buzz and keep pushing ideas so you'll get an up-to-date view of the innovation thinking stream.

• Tom Peters ( www.tompeters.com) : The economist tagged him the "Uber-guru" of management.You'll find some "refreshing" thoughts about the way to do business in this new world. Be prepared to be astonished by his unique personality and tone that are far beyond all politically correct ideas !
Tom has written lots of bestsellers and to begin you can check his interesting insights about innovation and creativity in The Circle of Innovation and Re-imagine! Business Excellence in a Disruptive Age.

• Michael Michalko (http://www.creativethinking.net) :
He is a famous creativity expert and author of the best sellers Thinkertoys, and Cracking Creativity .

• Paul Sloane (http://www.destination-innovation.com) :
Paul Sloane is a UK's leading speaker on innovation and creativity. He is an author and expert on lateral thinking puzzles and lateral thinking in business. You'll be able to get a "taste" of his writtings on his free download section.

• Stephen Shapiro (http://www.steveshapiro.com) :
He is a famous author and speaker about innovation and creativity. His best seller 24/7 Innovation outlines a framework to implement "perpetual innovation". His web site allows you to read some good articles. Don't hesitate to subscribe to his blog feed.

 

---

PS :  According to Innovation Network Survey results 2004, among new innovation leaders in medium to large companies :

• 60% of them have innovation as part of their mission/job objectives
• 67% are allowed to work on “new” concepts for their company (“new” is not defined).
• 68% have no well defined innovation process within their company 
• 54% have no working definition of innovation

All they can do is try to do the best!

Don't miss the chance to get an unfair advantage :

Use Powerful  Solving!

The next move is up to YOU

 

Aren't you ready to...

• Quickly find solutions and align all the team in the same direction for new products.
• Get a solver reputation in your domain
• Get an unfair advantage against your competitor!
• Surprise you collegues and superiors by the methods you are using and results you are getting.
• Coach other how to be more efficient in problem solving.
• Improve the quality and atmosphere of your meetings.

PowerfulSolving is the solution that will give YOU the best tools in problem solving, creativity & innovation! 
You won't find anything packed like it anywhere.

Still hesitating ?

Sign up for free chapters excerpts to get started !

 

---

 NOTES

1. Alla Zusman article Sept1998, published in http://www.triz-journal.com/

2. The information presented here was researched and compiled by Rod Kornienko.