Creative Problem Solving for Community Development

·           Identify types of information to gather and key questions to ask in problem solving.

·           Identify the importance of defining a problem correctly.

·           Identify and use four different problem definition tools.

·           Write concrete problem statements.

·           Use basic brainstorming tools to generate ideas for solutions.

·           Use idea generating tools, such as affinity diagrams, word chaining, the box method, the six thinking hats, and the blink method.

·           Evaluate potential solutions against criteria, including cost/benefit analysis and group voting.

·           Perform a final analysis to select a solution.

·           Understand the roles that fact and intuition play in selecting a solution.

·           Understand the need to refine the shortlist and re-refine it.

·           Understand how to identify the tasks and resources necessary to implement solutions.

·           Evaluate and adapt solutions to reality.

·           Follow up with solution implementation to celebrate successes and identify improvements