Table of Contents

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List of figures
Preface to 2nd edition

1 Creativity and its importance in business
Introduction
Some definitions of creativity
Invention and creativity
Ideas and how they arise
The importance given to creativity in business
Conditions when creative thinking is required most
Paradigm shift
Characteristics of creative thinking and creative thinkers
Questions
Cases

2 Blocks to creativity
Introduction
The need to be ready for change
Problem solving
Mind-set
Other barriers to an individual’s creativity
Dealing with an individual’s blocks to creativity
Diagnosing whether someone is blocked in their thinking
How techniques help to overcome blocks
Blocks to organisational creative thinking and ways of dealing with them
Elements and conditions of creative organisations
Questions
Cases

3 Theories of creativity and the creative problem solving process
Introduction
Creative thinking
The brain as an information processor
Convergent and divergent thinking
The conditions of creative thinking
Problem solving
Theories of creative problem solving
The cognitive theory of creativity
How we get ideas: the index metaphor
Problem solving mechanisms
Analogical reasoning
The problem solving process
The problem solving process and the creative process
The creative problem solving process
Questions
Cases

4 Objective finding, fact finding and problem finding/definition
Introduction
Objective finding
Fact finding
Dimensional analysis
Problem finding/definition
Redefinition approaches
Redefinition approaches: laddering
Redefinition approaches: goal orientation
Redefinition approaches: boundary examination
Redefinition approaches: progressive abstractions
Redefinition approaches: Why method
Analytical techniques: decomposable matrices
Analytical techniques: cause and effect diagrams
Questions
Cases

5 Morphological analysis and related techniques
Introduction
Checklists
Attribute listing
Morphological analysis
Force fitting triggers
Heuristic ideation technique
Component detailing
Sequence-attribute modification matrix
Questions
Cases

6 Brainstorming and its variants
Introduction
Classical brainstorming
The process of brainstorming
Wildest idea variant
Stop and go brainstorming
Round-robin brainstorming
Gordon-Little variation
Trigger method
Problems with brainstorming
Brainwriting
Brainlining
Questions
Cases

7 Lateral thinking and associated methods
Introduction
Overview
Awareness
Assumptions
Alternatives
Provocative methods
Metaphorical thinking
Analogy
The discontinuity principle
Questions
Cases

8 Synectics
Introduction
Synectics
Conducting synectics sessions
Synectics in action
Questions
Cases

9 Paradigm breaking techniques and some miscellaneous ideation methods
Introduction
Vision building
Symbolic representation
Miscellaneous ideation techniques
Suggestion box, exhibits and competitions
Clichés, proverbs and maxims
Storyboarding
Scenario writing
Scenario day-dreaming
Bionics
Two words
Free association
Story writing
Mind map
Lotus blossom technique
Fishbone diagram
Questions
Cases

10 Evaluation
Introduction
Sorting
Evaluation methods
Advantage-disadvantage tables
PMI: Plus/Minus/Interesting
Castle technique
Sticking dots
Creative evaluation
Force field analysis
Weighting systems
The process of choosing
Qualitative evaluation: reverse brainstorming
Financial/mathematical evaluations
Creative evaluation method
Pay-off tables
Decision trees
Questions
Cases

11 Implementing ideas
Introduction
Ideas are not readily implemented
Sources of resistance to change
Role of communication in overcoming resistance to change
Putting ideas into practice
Reducing resistance to change
Climate for change
Questions
Cases

12 Computer assisted creative problem solving
Introduction
History of development
Structured approach to creative problem solving in computer programs
Types of programs
Group creative problem solving aids
Conventional software
Questions
Cases

Appendix to chapter
Bibliography
Author Index
Subject Index