Creative thinking and problem solving

• Creative thinking techniques


  • Force Field Analysis
  • SCAMPER technique
• Critical Thinking


  Analyzing and evaluating information to make informed decisions
• Creative Thinking


  Generating new ideas and approaches
• Indigenous Thinking


  Local knowledge and way of thinking unique to a culture or society
• Importance of creativity in the business
• Four Pillar Approach includes Fluency, Flexibility, Originality, and Elaboration
• Four Pillar Approach


  • Fluency
  • Flexibility
  • Originality
  • Elaboration
• Fluency


  The ability to produce several different ideas
• Flexibility


  Looking at concepts from different points of view
• Originality


  Developing unique ideas that have newness and creativeness
• Elaboration


  Adding detail and depth to different solutions
• Steps in Force Field Analysis

  1. Define the problem

  2. Define the change objective

  3. Identify driving forces

  4. Identify restraining forces

  5. Develop a change strategy
• Driving forces


  Factors that support the change
• Restraining forces


  Factors that resist the change
• Forces for Change


  • Improved product speed
  • Reduced training time
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • Satisfying customer needs and wants more efficiently
• Forces against change


  • Loss of staff overtime
  • Staff fearful of new technology
  • Impact on environment
  • Cost
  • Disruptions
  • Upgrade manufacturing equipment
• SCAMPER Technique


  1. Substitute

  2. Combine

  3. Adapt

  4. Modify

  5. Put to other use

  6. Eliminate/Elaborate

  7. Rearrange
• SCAMPER Technique Questions


  • SUBSTITUTE: “How would the story develop if we replace the main character with another one?”
  • COMBINE: “What would the new story look like if we put together characters from different stories?”
  • ADAPT: “What would the story be like if the character had a different intention?”
  • MODIFY: “What would happen if the prince was not handsome?”
  • PUT TO OTHER USE: “What would happen if the character used his/her magical power differently?”
  • ELIMINATE/ELABORATE: “What would happen if one of the characters was removed from the story?”
  • REARRANGE: “What would happen if the protagonist becomes the antagonist?”
• Obstacles to creative thinking
• Indigenous knowledge


  Skills, know-how, experience, and insight of a particular group of people
• Indigenous foods of South Africa

  • Bobotie
  • Boerewors
  • Biltong
  • Vetkoek
  • Potjiekos
  • Chakalaka and pap
  • Durban bunny chow
  • Malva pudding