Creative Problem Solving (CPS)

Creative Problem Solving (CPS) is particularly effective in industries such as product design, technology development, and engineering, where teams face multifaceted challenges requiring innovative approaches. It finds application in sectors like healthcare, where teams tackle issues ranging from patient experience enhancements to medical technology advancements, and in consumer goods, where companies are focused on meeting evolving customer needs and preferences. CPS is ideally implemented during the ideation and prototype phases of product development, allowing teams to explore various concepts and refine their ideas based on user feedback and testing. Cross-disciplinary collaboration among participants such as designers, engineers, marketers, and end-users is encouraged, inviting diverse viewpoints and fostering creativity. This methodology promotes a safe environment for brainstorming without fear of judgment, thereby stimulating a wide array of potential solutions. An example of its application is in automotive design, where teams might address not only aesthetic concerns but also functionality, safety, and sustainability, necessitating a thorough investigation of existing constraints and opportunities before arriving at a final design. The flexibility of the CPS approach allows organizations to adapt it to fit specific contexts and challenges, making it applicable not just in corporate settings, but also in educational environments where students engage in project-based learning and are taught to think innovatively. This structured approach not only increases the likelihood of generating effective solutions but also enhances team cohesion and collective problem-solving capability.