Problem Solving, a More Creative Approach
In spite of what I just said before you do anything… check for existing solutions first because you may actually be able to use ‘what is’, as a basis to build, ‘what can be’… however a note of caution… a better mousetrap is still a mousetrap.
The main elements for creative problem solving are:
1. At the beginning attempt to solve the simplest part of the problem. Many of those around you will advise the shortcomings of your solution and be happy to tell you that it is only a partial solution. Ignore these people and stay focused; total solutions grow from groups of partial solutions.
2. Build your solution incrementally and check each stage as you go. If your solution depends on a correct answer to part A of the problem and part A isn’t really solved you can have big flaws by the time you get to part Z.
3. Try to look at problems in fresh ways. Don’t get bogged down in your own pet theory, try some ‘crazy’ solutions and never try to make just one approach or solution fit by refining it rather than looking for a totally fresh approach. We often fall into this trap because we don’t want to waste our previous efforts.
4. Abandon hidden beliefs and attitudes and ‘common knowledge’ and any other ‘flat earth’ type assumptions.
5. Have patience and perseverance and keep looking. Never settle for the least inadequate fit, keep looking for the ideal.
6. Always remember nothing is carved in stone and no solution will ever be permanent. Constant change and the forces of nature will eventually prove all our most brilliant ideas inadequate, even rocks turn into sand over time. Ref: http://www.arachnoid.com/lutusp/crashcourse.html
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