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Creative Problem Solving Wizard

By Barbara Wheat

On Becoming a CPS Wizard – Follow the …?

You can follow the Yellow Brick Road, or

you can follow the CPS Process.

It all began whenI had a wicked problem.

(I felt like I lost my power!)

Here’s what I tried before

I tried CPS:

I searched high and low for an answer.

{Fact: Chocolate cures all ailments.

I searched for comfort...

I searched for someone to help me bear my burden.

I searched the stars.

I searched for career advice.

My feelings before using CPS:

Under attack Insulted Badgered DisrespectedDefeated OverwhelmedHopeless HelplessBeaten TrappedDespair AloneWeak PowerlessDoom Gloom

CPS moved me from despair to seeing light

at the end of the tunnel.

THE CPS PROCESSSTEP BY STEP

Step 1: Identify the challenge

Step 2 : Facts and feelings exploration

Step 3: Clarify the Problem (Problem framing & reframing)

Step 4: Idea Finding

Step 5: Solution Development

Step 6: Action Planning 

Step 1: Identify the challenge:

It would be great if…I wish I could…My goal is to…

Step 2: Facts & feelings exploration:

Who is involved?What do I want?Why is this a concern?Where can this lead?

Step 3: Clarify the Problem:

What else?Who else?In what ways might…How might…

One way is to generate ideas using objects, or random words from books, catalogs, newspapers, etc.

Step 4: Idea Finding

Regenerate, Repair,= Renew, Reinvent

Step 5: Solution Development:

Will it?Does it?What are the potentials, opportunities, concerns?

Step 6: Action Planning:

Who might assist?What might they do?When will they do it?How will they do it?

My feelings after using CPS:

EmpoweredEnergized

Positive HopefulIn control CapableArmed StrongEnthusiastic EagerResilient Excited

In using the Creative Problem Solving Process,

the only wizard you need is yourself!

Work on all your problems-wicked or otherwise-with the CPS Process!(And get your power back!)