Download Our Free 'Design Thinking' Tool

One style of approach to Creative Problem Solving is known as Design Thinking, and there are elements of this approach that are beneficial filters all through the divergent and convergent aspects of the creative process. Keep these favorites in mind as you work from your goal to your implemented solution.

IMMERSIVE EXCURSIONS: Get out of the conference room or office. Be in the world where the change you are working toward will be felt.

EXPERIENCE EMPATHY: Do your best to “be” the person(s) experiencing the need for change, or imagine the change as, and after, it is occurring. 

X WHYs: Keep asking Why, Why else, and Why again (see “Why? What’s Stopping YOU?” tool card). “I need a better chair,” may translate to “My feet hurt.” The universe of solutions can be very different after a few WHYs. WHYs make you wise.

VISUAL ANALOGY: Using imagery of people in situations, create a collage of your Goal, Data, Challenge(s), Ideas, and/or Solutions. What patterns do you see? What new insights can you pull from that imagery?