Creative Problem Solving

This blog post is the second in the creative thinking series. The first blog post introduced the difference between creative thinking and critical thinking including relationship with Enterprise Design Thinking. In this blog post we continue with metacognition (thinking about thinking).

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination. We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it. The only real valuable thing is intuition. – Albert Einstein

This simplified diagram illustrates the skills of creative thinking vs critical thinking and the overlap between them, which shows the core of the problem solving process.

The numeric identifiers within the diagram are based on the thinking skills model developed by Puccio, Murdock, and Mance (2005). The following linear representation of a problem-solving thought process provides an excellent example of how characteristics and behaviors of Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking operate.

In the following illustration the same numeric identifiers are used. It is a circular representation of the Creative Problem Solving thought process. The vortex of the process contains the role of the facilitator. The facilitator will master the Creative Problem Solving process by using the characteristics and behaviors of Critical Thinking and Creative Thinking.

The simplest thinking skills are learning facts and recall. Often times, thinking just happens automatically. However, there are times when we consciously think. It may be about how to solve a problem or making a decision. This requires higher order skills include analysis, synthesis, problem solving, and evaluation. Higher skills are necessary to enable us to connect and integrate new experiences into our existing understanding and perception of how things are.

In future blog posts we aim to share our insights when and where creative thinking or critical thinking is appropriate.

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