seriouslycreative[dot]com

Creative Problem
Solving
Bootcamp
A storybook by SeriouslyCreative
to help you achieve continuous improvement by
making people better problem scouts and ideators.

SeriouslyCreative.com
Continuous Improvement doesnt start
with ideas, it starts with problems.

If I only had one hour to solve a

problem I would spend 55 minutes
understanding it first. Once
understood the solution would easily
be created in the last 5 minutes.

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Creative Problem Solving
You can think
of it as two TWO FREQUENCIES
frequencies.
But we tend to think focus
more on the second part.
We think we know a
problem that needs to be Idea
solved and want to quickly
deliver a solution. Creation
Lets start at the begining
where we make sure we Opportunity
have a good problem to
solve and we understand it Discovery
really well.
We need to first
understand, so we can
then create.

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Creative Problem Solving
Opportunity
Discovery
By spending the time to discover a problem and
understand it really well; we often feel like we are going
too slow and we should hurry up and deliver an idea. But
this is a very important first step that makes sure we are
solving a real problem (and not a symptom) and that the
problem is worth solving. Think of it as going slow to
finish fast.

This first phase is where we ask But why? We need to

stop thinking about ideas and instead focus on asking
questions like why does this happen? what is holding us
back? what is something we do that doesnt add value?

Its like being a 6 year old child who asks questions all day
long. It is also about being curious enough to dig into
data, do the research and work hard to better understand
a problem. It takes time and dedication to want to know
more.

Finally, it is about being willing to challenge assumptions.

We need to be willing to look at something that the whole
company takes for granted and challenge it, asking why it
is the way it is.

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Creative Problem Solving
Opportunity Discovery See everything as it is the first time.
Ask why is this; this way often.
Beginners Mindset Observe what people do before assuming why they do it.

1 5 Whys Example:
This technique was created in the 1920s 30% of clients are outstanding payments of over 60 days.
by Sakichi Toyoda, founder of Toyota Why? Because they had an issue on their bill.
motors and father of what is the Toyota Why? Because there was an issue with their order being incorrect.
Way of Continuous Improvement, Why? Because the wrong items were sent.
method which has influenced industries Why? Because the order was taken wrong.
across the world in their drive to be Why? Because it was taken too fast. Company incentives are based
on speed.
better.
Counter-measure: Change incentives so they are not not just on speed, but
accuracy.
He believed in going to where a problem
existed. For example: going to the paint
shop of a car and ask why 5 times in
order to discover the root cause of a
problem. That way, he would make sure Sakichi Toyoda
all efforts were put into the problem that
needed to be solved; rather than waste
time of symptoms or non-problems. *!
Creative Problem Solving
Opportunity Discovery
If we want people to understand something we should find
Making Problems Visual ways to make it visual.

2 Journey Mapping
The right side of the brain loves imagination. This
is creative side where we value abundance of
ideas, looking at the big picture, challenging
assumptions and champion possibility.

Think of experiences or problems as journeys.

Think of telling a story In the beginning, in the
middle and in the end.

Make a timeline. Map out the most important

moments of the journey and place them high as
good experiences or low for those ones that are
not so good.

See how many low interactions can be improved.

beg
Maybe the issue is that there are too many
interactions and the process should be simplified.
Either way make the problem visible. *!
Creative Problem Solving
Opportunity Discovery
Our interactions are neither business to business or
Think Human Centric business to consumer but human to human.

3 Personas
A problem
Look at these two problem statements.
The second is written to be about a
Improve the way orders are placed so that they are
specific kind of person. The person accurate and can be fulfilled in under 24 hours.
may be fictitious, but he challenge they
face is not. vs
By making problems about humans, we
do two things: 1. We make sure that the About human centric problem
challenge is something we know from Help Mary, a online sales representative, capture all order
talking to real people. 2. It makes the information correctly and easily so that orders leave the
problem more meaningful for the next day.
people looking to solve it.

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Creative Problem Solving
Opportunity Discovery
Create many directions to explore for good ideas.
Question Banking Use questions to stimulate new thinking.

4 Start with How might

we/What might we? ASK INSPIRING QUESTIONS

Rather than just ask the one obvious question like how
can we make people happier when they come to the SOME IDEAS
store? A question bank asks you to come up with a lot
of possible angles that address this same challenge. 1.AMPLIFY: How might we add
2.REMOVE THE NEGATIVE- How might we reduce.
For example, how might we make it entertaining to be 3.EXPLORE THE OPPOSITE- How might we change
at our store? or what might we give people that would 4.CREATE AN ANALOGY - How might we make it more like
make their in store experience more enjoyable? 5.PLAY WITH THE PROBLEM - How might we make people think
of it .
The term HOW MIGHT WE and WHAT MIGHT WE are 6.CHANGE THE STATUS QUO- What might we substitute X so it
powerful ways to start questions. The word MIGHT is not a problem?
opens people up to new possibilities.

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Creative Problem Solving
Idea
Creation
When it comes to generating ideas, the mind has to be
set on possibility. In order to do this, we need to focus
on divergent thinking.
All Best
possibilities possibilities
This depends on us being willing to say ideas that we are
not so sure about at first and being willing to be wrong.
That is why techniques should encourage individual
contributions and anonymity. We do this with Post Its. Many ideas Diverge Converge Top ideas
In order to suspend judgement, you want people to think
What if, Avoid Yes but.and push for YES AND!
Creating Selecting
Brainstorming is about going from DIVERGENT to
CONVERGENT. We tend to rush to converge in
business. Time is money and we want to deliver a Create Making
solution fast. But this leads us to suggest the first idea
we come up with, and thats not always good. Too often Choices choices
thats the most common idea that everyone, including our
competitors have.

The best ideas take bit more thinking and bit more work.
So we need to suspend judgment just long enough for
people to be divergent - to come up with all the choices
before we kick into making a decision.
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Creative Problem Solving
 To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old
Idea Creation problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and

Create Choices marks real advances in science.

-Albert Einstein

1 Yes. Braistorming has RULES. 2 TECHNIQUES

LEAPROG
i.Suspend judgement (we are going for quantity
first. not quality.) Pass ideas to the left. Get others to improve
ii.Write now, talk later or add-on to previous ideas.
iii.Headline & get visual
iv.Build upon ideas of others SIMPLE SCAMPER
v.Wild ideas welcome SCAMPER is an acronym for words that help us look at the
vi.Stay on topic same problem but from different angles. It was originally
created to help engineers improve product design but it
works just as good for process. Heres the 4 most
provoking of those words:
SIMPLIFY
COMBINE
Diverge AMPLIFY
ELIMINATE

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Creative Problem Solving
 To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old
Idea Creation problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and

Make Decisions marks real advances in science.

-Albert Einstein

3 Cluster
In order get a better grasp of all ideas, you
4 DotMocracy
Is a technique that helps groups start being aware of those
want to then organize/group your post its by
ideas that are more popular in the context of voting stickers
themes. You can also combine ideas that
and colors. Mark your favorite ideas and classify them like this:
look like they could be part of a bigger
picture or concept. Green - Low hanging fruit
Blue - To discuss
Red - Could be transformative

5 Draw and Pitch!

Drawing your ideas is a way of prototyping.
Helps you quickly see things different. It also shows
how (or if it doesnt).

Converge Also, it helps you understand how it interacts with the

users and what it takes to implement.

Finally, remember you could have the best idea in

the world, but you need to communicate it effectively.
If it gets lost in translation, it never was. so pitch it *!
like a pro and Good luck!! Creative Problem Solving

The best way to The future
quotes to inspire
predict the future is to belongs to those willing
invent it. (alan kay) to get their hands dirty.
(anonymous)

If an idea is at
first not absurd, there The best way to An essential
is no hope for it. have a good idea is to aspect of creativity is
(albert einstein)
have a lot of ideas not being afraid to fail.
(linus pauling)
(edwin land)

Innovation
distinguishes between Ever tried. Ever Creativity is the
a leader and a follower. failed. No matter. Try
(steve jobs) power to connect the
again, fail again, fail seamlessly unconnected.
better. (samuel beckett) (william plomer)

All life is an
experiment. The more
experiments the better. Discovery consists of Ask questions. Questions
(r.w. emerson) seeing what everyone has seen are what expose the insights
and thinking what no one has that springboard you forward
thought. (albert szent-gyorgyi) to ideas. (anonymous) * !
 ABOUT US
SeriouslyCreative is an ideas, innovation and insights company. We
combine creativity, human centered design and play to solve problems,
grow companies, amplify collaboration and deliver the future.

*! Seriously
Creative
PURPOSE
To empower people and organizations to become agents of constant
improvement, innovation and growth.

MISSION
To provide individuals and teams with the creative confidence, tools and
skills they need in order understand their individual and collective role when
it comes to company innovation and growth.

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Why innovate?
Because the world of business is changing fast. Those who were not competitors a year ago now pound at your
door. Last years competitive advantage is this years old news. What you thought was a best practice is already
replaced with the next practice. Yes, we live in a world of rapid, disruptive and transformative change.

Business today demands we innovate. It constantly forces us forward to seek the next advantage, to better serve
customers, to build value around deep consumer needs, to challenge the status quo, explore new opportunities
and to suspend our normal judgements. It is only by staying ahead of the waves of change that we survive. Those
who have learned how to manage in this chaotic race make change their advantage while others become the
victim of it.

If what youre looking for is a traditional management consulting firm then stop here.

We believe in modern business fueled by imagination and driven by entrepreneurial spirit. And we take our
inspiration from business innovation overachievers like P&G, Virgin, Red Bull, Mayo Clinic, SAP and Lego.

Welcome to Business as Unusual!

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Our Services

INSIGHTS + IDEAS, STRATEGY

& PLANNING
RESEARCH
understanding by innovation by
design design

TEAM ACTIVE PARTICIPATION INSPIRING

WORKSHOPS KEYNOTES
BUILDING
collaboration & capabilities by engagement by
alignment by design design design

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 Big insights equals big benefits.
INSIGHTS +
While traditional research is good for bench-marking past behavior, design
RESEARCH research is the way modern organizations guarantee improved future
understanding by performance and decision making. It is about going beyond the what and
design understanding the why of people, problems and drivers. Our design approach
looks at individual motivations, perspectives, pain points, desired outcomes all in
order to deliver deeper, actionable insights that help clients confidently design
Popular Products: engaging products, services, messages and business models.
Deep Dives
Consumer Date Nights We dig deep to truly understand drivers. To do this, we believe in GETTING OUT
User Experience Audits
Journeys OF THE OFFICE, talking to people and asking tons of questions. We come back
to you with more than just data and graphs but ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS that help
guide you to real competitive advantages and bottom and top line impact.

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 IDEAS, STRATEGY
If you think how you always thought, youll always get what you always
& PLANNING got.*
innovation by
We get you and your team to do your best thinking, look at the whole and real
design
problem, break from the gravity of the status quo, challenge the assumptions
of your day-to-day operations and develop a solutions that transforms your
situation and that you are confident in successfully moving forward.
Popular Products:
100 Day Sprints, Our disruptive style, makes meetings work. Through "serious play",
Service Design,
SolutionSessions, Start it Up, visualizations and simulations, we get businesses to the transformative
Decision Making Camp solutions they seek faster (and collaboratively).
Prototyping Studio
Strategic Visioning, Transformer

*Gerald Hamman, SolutionPeople

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 Engaging hearts and minds to build stronger, collaborative teams.
TEAM
Success in business today is about collaborative teams that can rapidly come
BUILDING together to solve problems, design new ideas and overcome any challenge by
collaboration & out-pacing, out-working, out-thinking and out-creating the competition.
alignment by design
Our sessions are designed to be SeriousPlay. They are not just fun and games,
but carefully engineered to meet the specific needs of your team. We get people
improve creative confidence, communication, engagement, come up with
Popular Products:
Radically Collaborative, solutions together, prototype and understand what is expected of them so they
Superhero Academy, Creative can walk the talk! Better yet, in work environments with demographic and cultural
Jumpstart, Our Journey,
Awesome Race, Back to diversity, our sessions serve as a non-physical option fit for every shape and age
Basics/Play Date, Brain Lab, and worthwhile investment for any organization. Teams have fun, but take away so
Mystery Day, Inspiring Keynotes
and more
much more.

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 No boring lectures. No 15 bullet point slides. Our workshops are about amplifying
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION human potential.
WORKSHOPS SeriouslyCreative helps organizations who need their people to develop the skills of
capabilities by tomorrow; TODAY. Innovation is less about what you know and more about how you think.
design Principally, through our Idea Engineering Bootcamps, we teach people the new cognitive
mindset that drives the worlds most innovative companies by immersing participants in
real world exercises, teaching easily-applicable techniques and following up to ensure that
Popular Products: what we discuss is effectively applied.
Learn Design Thinking, Creative
Jumpstart, IDEA Bootcamp, We have also designed several other workshops including ready to wear tips and
Human Centric 101, Human
Centric Culture Camp, techniques to improve leadership and professional performance at organizations.
Presentations that Rock,
Productive Meetings, Innovation Our workshops are practical, interesting, collaborative and fun. Just like kindergarten.
Transformer Just bigger kids.

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 Its not just about hearing it. Its about getting it.
KEYNOTES
Our experienced speakers add context to your event in a very dynamic and
engagement by SeriouslyCreative ways. We design and deliver sessions that get participants off
design their chair, engaging their minds and hearts with your message. Our SeriousPlay
style gets groups of 10-500 actively participating and living the message.

Dana has been a featured speaker in TedX San Juan, SHRM, PIA, SME and
Popular Products: Advertising Agency Association Conventions, Innovation Summits and private
Change Happens, events locally and internationally.
Radically Collaborative,
BrainLab, Creative Angie has served as speaker for APPR, CFSE, SHRM, SME, Instituto para el
Jumpstart, Business as
Unusual, Creative
Desarrollo de la Juventud, Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto
Connection Rico, Echar PaLante and private events locally and internationally.

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 Lets Stay Connected!
SCideaengine
WeAreSeriouslyCreative
SeriouslyCreative.com

[email protected]
*! SeriouslyCreative
787-283-6077