Creative problem-solving: Difference between revisions

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The process of creative problem-solving usually begins with defining the problem. This may lead to finding a simple non-creative solution, a textbook solution, or discovering prior solutions developed by other individuals. If the discovered solution is sufficient, the process may then be abandoned.<ref name=":0">[http://www.creativeeducationfoundation.org/creative-problem-solving/ Definition of creative problem solving] on Alex Osborn's (inventor of the term and process of [[brainstorming]]) Creative Education Foundation website.</ref><ref>[[wiktionary:problem|Problem definition]]{{dead link|date=August 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} in presentation on creative problem-solving, on the [[University of Arizona]] website</ref>

A creative solution will often have distinct characteristics that include using only existing components, or the problematic factor, as the basis for the solution. However, a change of perspective may in many cases be helpful.<ref>[http://www.creativethinkingassoc.com/mikevance.html Mike Vence about the 9 dots as a corporate promotion of creative thinking] at the [[Walt Disney Company]] (Creative Thinking Association website)</ref> A solution may also be considered creative if readily available components can be used to solve the problem within a short time limit (factors typical to the solutions employed by the title character in the television series [[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]).

If a creative solution has a broad application – that is, uses that go beyond the original intent –, it may be referred to as an innovative solution, or an [[innovation]] (some innovations may also be considered an [[invention]]).

{{blockquote|text="All innovations [begin] as creative solutions, but not all creative solutions become innovations."<ref name=fobes1993>{{cite book|first=Richard|last=Fobes|title=The Creative Problem Solver's Toolbox: A Complete Course in the Art of Creating Solutions to Problems of Any Kind|year=1993|ISBN=0-9632221-0-4}}</ref> |author=Richard Fobes}}

If a creative solution has a broad application, –such that is,the usesusage that gogoes beyond the original intent –, it may be referred to as an innovative solution, or an [[innovation]] (some innovations may also be considered an [[invention]]).

== Techniques and tools ==

Many techniques and tools employed for creating effective solutions to a problem are described in [[creativity techniques]] and [[problem-solving]] articles.