MODULE 5: Creativity
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Warm Up!
 Within this module, we will consider the role or creativity and inspiration within DA. Let's start with a warm-up!



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Brainstorming
 Brainstorming is a problem solving technique that engages one to multiple participants in the process of thinking creatively and generating innovative ideas. The brainstorming technique is typically geared towards quality improvement and is usually the incipient phase towards developing a strategic plan.

How do you use it?

The brainstorming technique can be used for solving problems collectively or individually.

Group brainstorming

  • Communication, schedule and book the brainstorming activity
  • Clarify the topic and establish the time frame of the session; review the rules
  • Assign a facilitator/mediator of the group
  • Appoint a recorder (someone from the group who records ideas as they are generated) 
  • Let ideas flow freely
  • Build on ideas of others
  • State that there are no bad ideas 
  • Everyone participates; drive out fear, create trust, and creat a climate for innovation
  • Think outside the box
  • Generate additional open-ended questions to keep ideas flowing if the group "runs out of steam"
  • Do not elaborate or discuss ideas 
  • Make a list of the ideas at the end of the session 
  • Use a decision grid or multi voting to sort ideas for action planning and priority scheduling

 

Individual brainstorming

  • Clarify topic for the brainstorming activity
  • Focus on topic and establish a flexible time frame
  • Make sure you take notes on all ideas generated
  • Use creative thinking techniques
  • Start off your approach from a different angle
  • There are no bad ideas
  • Think outside the box 
  • Focus on creating an original idea based on a comparison of why something did not work; develop a new way of looking at the problem
  • Review the list of ideas generated
  • Use an optimization grid, matrix analysis or mindmap to review the list of ideas generated

 

 

Why use it?

Brainstorming allows people to explore new ideas by thinking "outside the box." Individual or group brainstorming is triggered towards achieveing optimal results obtained because the solutions are obvious or someone has a brilliant idea. However, in the long term, a systematic approach will yield the greatest benefits.

Advantages

Group brainstorming

  • Allows participants to explore new ideas and challenge traditional thinking
  • Engages participants to put ideas on the table without fear of being corrected or challenged
  • Separates the creating of ideas from the evaluation of the activity
  • Energizes participants to move towards the action
  • Makes everyone feel that they're an important part of the solution
  • Easy to use
  • Inspires collaboration amongst participants
  • Breaks down barriers between department or individuals that are apparent or invisible 

Individual brainstorming

  • Explore various scenarios
  • No need for justification
  • Can move back and forth on the plan of generating ideas 
  • In control of decisions; complete freedom of actions 
  • No time constraints; immediate implementation outcome 

Disadvantages

Group brainstorming

  • Time consuming 
  • Ideas generated cannot be implemented right away
  • Setting false expectations 
  • Not a decision making process that builds consensus 
  • Difficult to schedule to find a common time for all parties involved 
  • Participation is imposed

 

 

 

 

 

Individual brainstorming

  • Can lead to infinite time 
  • Aware of limitations
  • No need of unanimity approval request
  • Can be distracting
  • No one to rely on; no one to blame but yourself

 

    FISHBOWLS

    What is it?

    The fishbowl is a discussion format that allows all individuals involved to participate. It is especially useful for larger groups. This type of discussion allows everyone to contribute and to observe. There are two types of fishbowl, the open fishbowl and the closed fishbowl.

     

    How do you use it?

     The fishbowl has a small group of chairs in an inner circle and one or multiple circles of chairs surrounding the inner circle.  The inner chairs are occupied by the contributors and the outer chairs are occupied by the observers. There is a moderator (usually the instructor/facilitator) who introduces the topic for discussion and begins and ends the session. When the session has concluded, the moderator will recap the discussion.

    The Open Fishbowl: 
    In the open fishbowl, one seat in the inner circle is left vacant. At any time during the discussion, an observer can enter the inner circle and in turn, one of the contributors must voluntarily leave the inner circle. Participants will frequently enter and exit the inner circle until the discussion concludes.

    The Closed Fishbowl:
    In the closed fishbowl, all seats in the inner circle are occupied. When time runs out, the contributors vacate the inner circle and observers fill those seats. This continues until everyone has had their opportunity in the inner circle.

    Why use it?

    • The fishbowl is a great way to promote participation from all the individuals involved in the discussion.
    • Fishbowls are an excellent way to discuss controversial topics.
    • The fishbowl is a good alternative to the traditional debate.

                        

    Advantages:

    • Everyone has an equal opportunity to participate
    • Each participant can have their say without being interrupted
    • The contributors can freely state their opinion on the subject
    • It enables the student to become a better listener

     

    Disadvantages:

    • Observers could get edgy just sitting and listening
    • Too much of an urge for observers to interrupt
    • Some participants may feel awkward about opening up, speaking their mind
    • Some participants might worry about repercussions from their comments

     

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    Affinity Diagrams
     Here we will consider affinity diagrams.

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    Mind Mapping
    A mind map is a diagram that is ideal for brainstorming, planning, information gathering, data presentation, and many other uses.


    Why use a mind map?content taken from https://www.smartdraw.com/mind-map/

    What makes a mind map so effective is that it allows us to use both sides of our brains at once. The left side of the brain controls logic, analytics, and details. It is very structured and organized. The right side is creative, imaginative, and likes to think freely. In business when someone says "think outside the box," what they really mean is to move away from the left side of your brain for a while and allow your brain's right side to daydream, explore, and think about the "bigger picture."

    This is when a mind map can be an invaluable tool. Rather than using a lined note pad and making lists, a mind map allows more creative thought processes to surface. But it doesn't do this at the expense of the logical left half of the brain. A mind map also allows thoughts and ideas—no matter how imaginative they might be—to be organized in a thoughtful and logical way. A mind map encourages a "mind meld" of the entire brain.
    WWW
    		 Canva Mind Maps
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    In this section you will access your Hypothes.is assignment(s):
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    Module 5 Assignment

    Your task this week is to use the creativity tools in the order they are explained in class:
    1. Brainstorming
    2. Affinity Diagramming
    3. Mind Mapping
    to create a menu for the EPM5670 Cafe. This assignment is a group or collective task!

    		 Homework 5 Template

    Required Reading:

    Adams, S. (2013, March 06). 4 Steps to Successful Brainstorming. Retrieved September 25, 2017, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/03/05/4-steps-to-successful-brainstorming/#3f901d2c5992

    Brainstorming Generating Many Radical, Creative Ideas. (n.d.). Retrieved September 25, 2017, from https://www.mindtools.com/community/pages/article/brainstm.php?route=pages%2Farticle%2Fbrainstm.php

    Cleary, B. (n.d.). What is an Affinity Diagram? Retrieved from https://asq.org/quality-resources/affinity

    Markman, A., Seppala, E., Livermore, D., & Chamorro-Premuzic, T. (2017, May 18). Your Team Is Brainstorming All Wrong. Retrieved September 25, 2017, from https://hbr.org/2017/05/your-team-is-brainstorming-all-wrong

    Segal, D. (2010, December 18). In Pursuit of the Perfect Brainstorm. Retrieved September 25, 2017, from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/19/magazine/19Industry-t.html



    Additional Required Viewing: