Problem solving is a process (updated 4 June 2020)

Creative problem solving is more than just thinking up ideas for solutions. It is also a process.

Creative problem solving is not for all problems, but specifically for ill-structured problems, those problems that come with little information and demand novel, creative solutions. These problems demand a different kind of solving that encompasses more than that for most problems.

The process of solving ill-structured problems starts with finding or identifying the problem. This step is not always necessary—you might already be bothered by something, or maybe you have been given a problem to solve. It is important, however, to recognize that a problem exists and to be motivated to solve the problem.

Another step in solving ill-structured problems is gathering information about the problem.

Once you know what the problem is, you need to find a problem definition that contains the essence of the problem, as well as the goals you want to reach (what does the ideal solution look like?). The problem-solving process is not linear. Goal setting does not always follow problem definition; sometimes you will want to identify your goals before you define the problem. (Articles that discuss problem definition can be found here, here, here, here, and here.)

You might want to go back to gathering information at this point, now that you have a definition for the problem.

Idea generation—finding possible solutions—follows only once the problem and the goals have been stated as exactly as possible.

Thinking up ideas for solutions requires that you set your critical mind aside and concentrate only on finding ideas, regardless if they are silly or crazy ideas. This is followed, however, by evaluating the ideas you have come up with. This step engages the critical, analytical mind.

A step that is not always necessary is selling the idea. If you are solving the problem for yourself, idea evaluation will point to the most viable ideas. You will have to sell the ideas if you are solving the problem for a client or for your employer. Selling the idea means that you have to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each idea, and persuade someone that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Finally, you need to develop a plan to carry out the ideas that have been selected.

The process is then:

1. Problem finding or identification
2. Information gathering
3. Problem definition
4. Goal setting
5. Idea generation
6. Idea evaluation
7. Selling the idea

So far on SynTAROTis, the following techniques, spreads, and articles have been created for each step of the process:

Problem finding or identification

• Three wishes (spread)

Information gathering

• Getting it together: Information gathering (article and Tarot spread)
• So is this true? 
• An inside-out reading
• The back-to-front reading
• “Yes, BUT …”—A challenging technique
• What if the card is the obstacle?
• Where does it go?
• The chosen cards
• Set my place
• Going around in circles (spread)
• The root of the problem (spread)
• "This could change everything" (spread)
• Building bridges (spread)
• SWOT spread: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (spread)
• SWOT spread: Making the best of it (spread)
• What is standing in my way? (spread)
• 5W1H (spread)
• Appreciative Inquiry (spread)

Problem definition

• Posts on problem definition (Defining the ill-defined: Part 1, Defining the ill-defined: Part 2, Defining the ill-defined: Part 3, Defining the ill-defined: Part 4a, Defining the ill-defined: Part 4b)
• Another way to look at the problem is … (spread)
• What is my problem? (spread)
• “Two words” to solve a problem (non-Tarot technique)
• Chunking problems (non-Tarot technique)
• Why? (non-Tarot technique)
• Asking the question (new)

Goal setting

Still to come!

Idea generation

• Brainstorming with Tarot cards (adapted for Tarot)
• I have an idea!
• Let the image do the talking (Tarot-specific technique)
• “Preppy thoughts” with Tarot cards
• 5W1H (Tarot spread, non-Tarot technique)
• Reverse the spread
• Attribute listing (non-Tarot technique)
• Relational algorithms (non-Tarot technique)
• Morphological analysis (non-Tarot technique)
• Combinations (non-Tarot technique)
• Associations (non-Tarot technique)
• Analogy
• Predicting A-ha!

Idea evaluation

Advantages, Limitations, Unique qualities (non-Tarot technique)

Selling the idea

Coming up!

Other articles on research about the creativity process

Creativity round-up April 2020