Creativity Manual: Problem Finding

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Creativity Manual Mess Finding Data Finding Problem Finding Idea Finding Solution Finding Acceptance Finding

PROBLEM-FINDING (Problem Definition/Redefinition)   "A problem is half-solved if properly stated." John Dewey OUTCOME: A focused, useful, heuristic problem-solving statement. NOTE: The problem definition/redefinition stage is one of the most important steps of the whole process. Do not skip past this stage or shortchange it. Once you work with this step a few times, you will see the immense value in taking a little extra time here. Below are three techniques for defining and redefining your problem statement. These are not the only possible techniques, but are tools that have been found to be highly effective in getting the process started. Give them a try, and make any modifications or adaptations that seem useful to you. IWWMI...? KEY WORDS FIVE WHYS 1. "IWWMI...?" Brainstorm a list of possible problem statements that begin with the sentence stem, "In what ways might I...?" This will prompt you to reorient your thinking from negative problem statements to positive ones. For example, a negative problem statement might be, "My problem is I don't have enough money." This statement leads the brain into a cul de sac by orienting its imagery and associations towards scarcity thinking. But stating the situation in a slightly different way leads to richer possibility thinking: "In what ways might I get more money?" The shift in thinking is subtle, yet profound. In what ways might I _______________________________________________ In what ways might I _______________________________________________ In what ways might I _______________________________________________ In what ways might I _______________________________________________ In what ways might I _______________________________________________ In what ways might I _______________________________________________ In what ways might I _______________________________________________ In what ways might I _______________________________________________ In what ways might I _______________________________________________ KEY WORDS   Another way to approach the problem-definition activity is to write out an initial "In what ways might I" question and play with the key words in your sentence by substituting other words. Doing so will precipitate new thought combinations and patterns. For example, using the previous example, "In what ways might I get some money?" we could substitute other words for "I," "get," and "money," and see what happens. Let's assume someone wants money to buy stereo equipment: In what ways might I beg for money? (Panhandlers sometimes make a lot of money) In what ways might I borrow money? (Maybe my bank or Aunt Martha will help) In what ways might I steal money ? (A quick source of cash) In what ways might I find money? (Hmmm, I could look under the couch, check coin returns in vending machines and pay phones, or pick up soda bottles, or HEY! I just had an idea! Maybe I could put together found objects artistically and enter the art contest I just read about) In what ways might I win money? (Lottery, bingo at church, hold a raffle for my house) In what ways might I give away money? (Hmmm, this makes me think of becoming a fund raiser for worthwhile charities, and charging an ethical amount for my services) In what ways might I cough up money? (Ah-Ha! That triggered a memory of Uncle Fred. He sure coughs a lot. Haven't thought about him in a while. He always said if I ever needed help, come see him.) In what ways might I avoid the need for money? (Get a job at the stereo store so I can get the equipment I want at a discount. Hey! Maybe I can barter for it. Or maybe I can send an early Christmas list to my family and friends.) In what ways might I obtain resources? (Find some used equipment that they're throwing out, and learn to fix it.) In what ways might I get help? (Maybe if I get to know someone who works at the stereo store, or even get to know the owner, I can trade some work for some equipment.) The formal structure of this thinking pattern is: "IWWM SOMEBODY do SOMETHING with/to/for/about SOMETHING?" (Problem Definition/Redefinition continued) The "FIVE WHYS" technique  It's a good idea to dig a little deeper once you have settled on a problem definition. If you have defined your task specifically and concretely, it can be extremely useful to retool your statement at a higher order of abstraction. The reverse is also true. If you have defined the problem abstractly, try to rethink it on a more concrete level. Doing so can often yield sudden insights, and reveal unsuspected solutions. One way to do this is a technique called Five Whys. You take your problem definition and ask, "Why do I want that?" And whatever answer you come up with, you again ask, "Why do I want that?" Do so five times. The outcome will be the distilled essence of your quest at a more abstract level of meaning, a higher point of view from which many more potential solutions can flow than you could have generated from the original problem definition. For example, Once you have peeled back the layers of motivation to a deeper level, you will begin to see that there may be many, many ways of satisfying the underlying need ("personal growth and sense of accomplishment") besides the one you started with ("I want some money.") Next Step: Idea-Finding

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