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SOLUTION-FINDING
OUTCOME: A rank-ordered list of possible solutions.
At the Solution-Finding stage, we finally get to select what we consider the best ideas. Whew! An important attribute for creative thinking is a high degree of tolerance for ambiguity; i.e., the capacity to hang out in a state of unresolved tension long enough to consider lots of options. Well, we're finally here. Now we will filter our potential solutions through criteria we consider important. So we must first generate a list of criteria, select the ones we want to use, and apply them.
This step begins taking the all-important influence of ecology into account. "Ecology" in this case refers to the intertwining network of internal and external conditions, forces and factors that imping on your situation. Every change affects someone or something else. Defining and selecting criteria helps understand ecological influences by sorting some of those influencing factors by various measures. The next step, Acceptance-Finding, will continue the ecological check in a more rigorous way.
SOLUTION-FINDING
Step 1. Brainstorm a list of possible criteria or standards against which you will measure your possible solutions. Your criteria will reflect your values, such as Interest, Excitement, Appropriateness, Acceptibility, etc., as well as your assessment of reality constraints and opportunities, such as Cost, Time, Feasibility, Available Resources, etc.
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(Solution-Finding continued)
(Solution-Finding continued)
Step 2. Insert your criteria in the appropriate slots on the Decision Grid (just shown). Insert your ideas in the Idea column. Rate each idea on a scale of 1 to 4 for each criteria. Total all points for each idea. This will give some sort of numerical ranking, which should be helpful in considering whether to implement an idea now, hold off until later, modify and implement, or reject any given idea. It is not intended that the numbers should be followed rigidly. They are meant to assist the problem solver in subjectively weighing various criteria when the situation is complex.
Next Step: Acceptance-Finding
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