Explore Ideas is the fourth step of the Creative Problem Solving process. Its purpose is to generate ideas that answer the challenge questions.
This activity is made of 2 phases:
A) A divergent phase to generate as many ideas as possible. To do so, the team will use 3 different techniques: brainstorming, Super-Powers and Forced Connections.
B) A convergent phase to select the one idea that will be taken over to CPS - 5. Develop Solutions. To do so the team will use a simplified version of the COCD Idea Box.
About the CPS process.
There are many models of the Creative Problem Solving process. Though, as recommended by the Creative Education Foundation, Stormz has chosen to focus on an evolution of the Osborn-Parnes CPS called the CPS Learner’s Model.
The basic structure is comprised of four stages with a total of six explicit process steps.
Write down all your ideas!
In this step, write down all the ideas that might help address the challenge.
Don't forget to follow these rules:
Note to the facilitator:
Imagine that you have one of these super-powers! What new ideas can you come up with?
Again, don't forget to follow these rules:
Imagine that the solution is in this picture! What new ideas can you think of to answer the challenge question?
Observe the picture in as much detail as possible:
Again, don't forget to follow these rules:
NOW ideas are:
Please select your 10 NOW ideas by giving one point to each of them.
As you have a total of 30 points, you should end this step with a budget of 20 points.
You can also comment on the ideas.
HOW ideas are:
Please select your 10 HOW ideas by giving one point to each of them.
If you started this step with 20 points, you should end this step with a budget of 10 points.
You can also comment on the ideas.
WOW ideas are:
Please select your 10 WOW ideas by giving one point to each of them.
If you started this step with 10 points, you should end this step with a budget of 0 points.
You can also comment on the ideas.
Look at the ideas with most points: how can we "augment" or "Enrich" them?
How can you:
Note: don't think about feasibility at this point, crazy suggestions are still welcome...
Click on a card and add your contributions inside the card.
Let's step back and have a look at the selected ideas!
Review the results:
Once done, take a little time to reflect on what we should do next.
Are we confident enough to agree on the ideas we would like to develop into full blown solutions?
Congratulations, we have finished the fourth step of the CPS process!
Let's celebrate that by adding a fourth serie of steps to our little victory dance ;-)
Once done, we can plan a session for the fifth step of the CPS process: Formulate Solutions.