Creative Thinking
Requires More
than a
Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Today’s S.T.A.M.P.S.
Types of
Styles of
When to use them
How to use them
Where to use them
Why use them
Creative Thinking
S.T.A.M.P.S.
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
S.T.A.M.P.S.
S SYSTEMS
T TOOLS/TECHNIQUES
A APPROACHES
M METHODS
P PROCESSES
S STRATEGIES
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Tools/Techniques
Single exercises, generally open-ended or
right-brained in approach (flexible, fluent, spontaneous
Approaches
How exercises are done: individually, in pairs
in teams, as a total group
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
S.T.A.M.P.S.
System
O. F. P. I. S. A.
Osborn-Parnes
Creative Problem Solving Model
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
S.T.A.M.P.S.
System
Osborn-Parnes CPS
O F P I S A
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Simplex
Fact
Finding
by Min Basadur
Plan
S.T.A.M.P.S.
System
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
S.T.A.M.P.S.
System
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
S.T.A.M.P.S.
Tools
Welcomers
Ice Breakers
Bonders
Teamers
Challenges
Idea Warm-Ups
Energizers
Idea Generators
Idea/Solution Selectors
Solution Systemizers
Games
Puzzles
Divergers
Convergers
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
S.T.A.M.P.S.
Tools
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
S.T.A.M.P.S.
Tools
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
The Energizer Funny - Warm-ups & Energizers
S.T.A.M.P.S.
Tools
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
The Energizer Funny - Warm-ups & Energizers
S.T.A.M.P.S.
Tools
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Tools &
Techniques
Warm-Ups
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Mental
Physical
Visual
Social
Emotional
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Cre8v
WAR M - U PS
8 11 5 40 9 1
What do these have in common?
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
How Are We Different?
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
I
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
How Are We Different?
Age
Background
Culture
Desires
Education
Family
Geographic
Humor, sense of
Intellectually
J
Knowledge
Learning Style
M
N
Occupation
Profession
Q
Religion
S
Technical skills
Understanding
V
W
eXcitement/energy
Y
Zeal
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Other uses for a...
Brick
Paper clip
Water bottle
Marbles
Ash trays
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
what is half of...
12
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
What might the
next two letters be?
OTTFF__
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Connect these 9 dots w/ 4
or less straight lines…
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Classic Answer
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
One or NO “straight lines”
3 lines
A wide crayon
Pour paint on it
Spray paint on it
Possible
Squash paper up
Line around world Solutions
Dip in can of paint
Cut dots out & line up
Spiral from center out
Wide paint roller/brush
Fold drawing until overlap
Write in cursive “4 straight lines”
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
One or NO “straight lines”
A wide crayon
Pour paint on it
Spray paint on it
Possible
Squash paper up
Line around world Solutions
Dip in can of paint
Cut dots out & line up
Spiral from center out
Wide paint roller/brush
Fold drawing until overlap
Write in cursive “4 straight lines”
Break the Box
Step out
Go around
Over, under.
3 lines
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Quickest way to
Create or Innovate?
Breaking Paradigms
or simply
Re-examining
Re-stating
Re-inventing the problem.
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Cre8v
WAR M - U PS
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Cre8v
WAR M - U PS
Window
Roof top
Envelope
4 triangles
Symbol for duct
Top of a pyramid
“x” marks the spot
Under side of pyramid
Close up view of fence
Tent
Logo
Game board
Ceiling light
4 arrow heads
Decorated box
Display shelf unit
2 overlapping triangles
…….?????????
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Be moreCre8v
open
to what is seen
&
What possibly
Can be seen
WAR M - U PS
Window
Roof top
Envelope
4 triangles
Symbol for duct
Top of a pyramid
“x” marks the spot
Under side of pyramid
Close up view of fence
Tent
Logo
Game board
Ceiling light
4 arrow heads
Decorated box
Display shelf unit
2 overlapping triangles
…….?????????
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Cre8v
WAR M - U PS
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Cre8v
WAR M - U PS
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Aim for
Common
Agreement
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Use the Box
Break the Box
No Box
New Box
Virtual Box
?
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Focus on the
Desired Result
?
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Warm-Up Exercises
Why do them?
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Warm-Up Exercises
To open up a group or team's creative thinking
Warm-Up Exercises are very helpful. The exercises help to loosen up
paradigms, mindsets, and points of view that people bring to a creative
thinking session.
Some goals of Warm-Up Exercises are to encourage people to:
a. look beyond the obvious or known answers
(“correct” answers)
b. stretch thinking
c. breakout of/break from establish thinking
d. look for multiple possibilities
e. take on many different points of perspective
f. practice producing a variety of potential solutions
g. to take a few risks and play with ideas & possible solutions
h. get discussion going
I. raise interest level
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Tools &
Techniques
Robert Alan Black, Ph.D., CSP
alan @ cre8ng.com
http://www.cre8ng.com
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Tools
Associations
Free/Accidental/Forced
Perspectives/Viewpoints
New/Unusual/Strange
Discoveries
Unexpected, Obvious
Imaginary Explorations
Generate Openness
Raise Energy
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Tools &
Techniques
Idea Generating
Solution Generating
Solution Selection
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Brainstorming
Alex Osborn’s
Creative Thinking Tool
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Brainstorming
or …
hackneyed, cliché, name
for badly run meetings.
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Brainstorming
Quantity breeds Quality
Freewheeling of ideas
Hitchhike/Combine Ideas
No Judgement
=
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Brainwriting
Quantity breeds Quality
Freewheeling of ideas
Hitchhike/Combine Ideas
No Judgement
=
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Alphabetizing
A H N
B I
O
C J
P
D K Q
E L
R
F M S
G
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
=
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
Y
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Alphabetizing
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
Y
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Alphabetizing
A
B
C
D
E
F
S. = substitute
C. = combine
A. = adapt, adopt
M. = minify, magnify
P. = put to other uses
E. = eliminate
R. = reverse
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
CHECKLIST
S.C.A.M.P.E.R.
S.C.A.M.P.E.R. is a form of CHECKLIST. A CHECKLLIST is
a prepared list of words, verbs, questions that you can use that can
spark new ideas, change your thinking or your point of view or
even you mood and the direction your thinking at the moment and
take you into many directions.
S.C.A.M.P.E.R. was created by Bob Eberle, teacher/educational
consultant in the 1970 s to teach the concept of CHECKLISTING
to school children by using a memory device (acronym) that they
could easily remember when they needed to generate new ideas or
remember existing or past ideas. It is used as the foundation for
Michael Michalko’s excellent Creative Thinking Tools
book…THINKERTOYS.
First Step
Write out the word S.C.A.M.P.E.R. vertically on a piece of paper or on a flip
chart/chalkboard or other surface that the group can see.
Second Step
Write out what the 7 letters stand for.
Third Step
Then use each of the 7 by asking questions using these verbs to
improve/change/revise your challenge or problem to generate potential ideas
and solutions.
Fourth Step
Read over the ideas you have produced and select the best
To work on to turn them into HOT SOLUTIONS to use.
Sample
S. =
C. =
A. =
M. =
P. =
E. =
R. =
substitute
combine
adapt, adopt
minify, magnify
put to other uses
eliminate
reverse
Combine - what might we combine
with our problem to improve it?
Chair - new materials, sound, tastes,
textures, arm rest, cushion
=
Eliminate - what might we eliminate
to improve the current chair produce a
brand new one?
Hinges, one of the legs, the back
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Idea
Grids
Sample
Ideas
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Idea 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Idea
2
+
Idea
4
=
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Idea Grids
First Step
With this Cre8ng Tool we first generate 12 to 24 ideas
through Brainstorming or any other technique.
Sample
Idea 1.
2.
Second Step
Then draw a grid made up of as many vertical and
horizontal
Cells as you have ideas.
3.
4.
Third Step
Combine the ideas on the vertical side of the grid With
the ideas on the horizontal side one by one and write
them into the separate boxes where the two ideas meet..
6 ideas can
Then produce 36 ideas, 12 can produce 24, 100 - 10,000
Fourth Step
Read over the ideas you have produced and select the
best
To work on to turn them into HOT SOLUTIONS to use.
Divergent Thinking Tool
Ideas
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
5.
Idea
2
+
Idea
4
=
Vertical 2 = make the chair out of wood
Horizontal 4 = make the color changeable
Ideas might be….cover, removable film or skin
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Idea or
Morphological
Grids
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Variables of story
Idea or Morphological Grids
This is a logical/left-brain convergent tool that can be used to
generate large numbers of ideas. 6 columns of 10 examples of
each variable can produce 1,000,000 possible combinations.
1.
First Step
Generate list of variables of problem or story
2.
Second Step
Generate lists for each of the variables: i.e.: heroes: cowboy,
Rancher, sheriff, shopkeeper, teacher, minister.
3.
Third Step
Number each list for each variable 1 to 2 to 3 to …...
4.
5.
Fourth Step
Randomly pick one number for each variable column from 1 to ?
Fifth Step
Then write a story using one from each of the columns
Sample
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Idea or Morphological Grids
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Idea Grid
Bread Meat Top’g Veg
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Creative
Thinking
Tools
Fruit
Snack Dessert
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Idea Grid
Bread Meat Top’g Veg
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Creative
Thinking
Tools
Fruit
Snack Dessert
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
WWWWWH?
Creative
Thinking
Tools
Who
What
When
Where
Why
How
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
WWWWWH?
Who
What
When
Where
Why
How
Creative
Thinking
Tools
Else-ing
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Robert
Alan
Black,More
Ph.D.,
CSP,
DLA & Luck
Creative
Thinking
Requires
than
a Muse
Converge
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Cluster/Clustering
Convergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Hits & Misses
Convergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Hits & Misses
Sample
Hits & Misses is a convergent thinking tool used for quickly
choosing ideas from several that have been generated.
First Step
Generate many ideas….24, 48, 144…..on Post-It notes or slips of
paper or index cards or simply write them on a surface where
everyone can see them easily.
Second Step
Tell the group to go up and scan the total group of ideas and mark
which ones their “gut” tells them is a hit. No discussion. Just
simply read and react.
Or
Tell the group to go up and move the ideas they think are HITS to
an area labeled HITS and the MISSES to another area labeled
thus. Leave the “NOT SURE” ones where they are.
Hits Unsure? Misses
Third Step
Then discuss, organize by popularity, group, cluster the ideas by
categories.
Fourth Step
Select the one or more that can be used at the same time or the
ones that can be combined into a single idea
Convergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative
Thinking
Tools
Pluses
PCP
Pluses/Concerns/Potentials
Concerns
Potentials
Convergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
PCPPluses/Concerns/Potentials
Pluses/Concerns/Potentials a convergent thinking tool used for
analyzing a list or group of ideas that have been generated by an
individual or a group.
First Step
Narrow down the number of ideas to a comfortable
number (3 to 6)
Second Step
Then one by one write out 3 lists of thoughts about each idea.
a. Pluses of the ideas
b. Concerns
c. Potentials
Third Step
Then compare the results.
Fourth Step
If one idea falls behind the others yet the group seems more
excited about it or committed to it, then go over each of the
concerns and think of ways to eliminate or strength them with that
idea.
Sample
Idea 1
Make the chair out of XXX plastic
and apply electrical lighting to it.
Pluses Plastic will be cheaper
Lighting will make it more useable
The plastic will provide more color
options
Concerns We have no experience with plastic
Electrical wiring will add cost
It may be too easily tipped over
=
Potentials Could lead to a product that could be
sold anywhere in the world.
Could expand our technical capacities
Could open up new markets for our
other products.
Convergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative
Thinking
Tools
Pluses
PCP
Pluses/Concerns/Potentials
Concerns
Potentials
Convergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative
Thinking
Tools
Idea 1
4 Idea 2
Idea 3
4 Idea 4
Idea 5
4 Idea 6
Hits & Misses
“Doting”, Ranking
Idea 1
l Idea 2
l Idea 3
Idea 4
Idea 5
l Idea 6
3 Idea 1
Idea 2
Idea 3
1 Idea 4
2 Idea 5
Idea 6
Convergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative
Thinking
Tools
*
?
Value Grid
#
a.
b.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
3
5
2
4
1
3
5
2
1
4
c.
2
5
3
1
4
d.
e.
2
3
5
1
4
4
5
2
3
1
Convergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Value Grids
This is a logical/left-brain convergent tool that can be used to
select ideas to turn into solutions
First Step
Generate ideas
Sample
5.
B.
C.
Third Step
Generate a list of values that final solution can be evaluated
with.
D.
E.
Fourth Step
Examine each idea one by one for each value.
Or
Examine each value one by one comparing the chairs.
Convergent Thinking Tool
4.
Idea A.
Second Step
Select a workable number of ideas you or the group like
Fifth Step
If one idea ends up better from the analysis than one that you
or the group have a strong feeling for then go back and
re-evaluate the weak areas and strengthen or change them.
Values
1. 2. 3.
Idea
B
Idea B
Value 4
+ Value
=
4
= make the chair out of wood
= better aesthetics
Wood would make it easier to tool, the grain will
Give a natural beauty to the chair
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Mood Changers
Balloons
Gimmicks
Games
Puzzles
Contests
Relay Races
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
S.T.A.M.P.S.
Approaches
individual/alone
pairs
teams
groups
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
?
Idea Grid Excursions
Attribute Listing Forced Relationships
TRIZ Metaphors
S.C.A.M.P.E.R. Writing Relay
Checklisting Group Excursions
Brain Writing Guided Imagery
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Forced
Relationships
+
=
Divergent Thinking Tool
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Sample
Forced Relationships
This is an idea generating technique that appears in many books about
creative thinking and creative thinking or innovation tools.
First Step
choose something totally unrelated to the problem or challenge
You or your group are working on.
Second Step
List everything you or your group know about it.
(Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?…
physical, visual, tactile,…all senses, good and bad)
Third Step
List everything you or your group know about your problem or challenge.
(WWWWWH…and using all the senses)
Fourth Step
Take items/details/aspects from the first list and FORCE FIT them to
features Or details from the second list. Your goal is to see if the features
from The randomly chosen, unrelated thing/animal sparks ideas for
improving, Changing, correcting features of the problem.
Divergent Thinking Tool
A traditional example or warm-up for doing this consists of…
1st. Ask the person or group to write everything they know about
a canary (or a bird in their country.
2nd. Ask the person or group to write everything they know about
the chair they are sitting in.
3rd. Then I ask them to combine (FORCE FIT or make a
FORCED Relationship) one item from the canary list with
The chair’s list with the goal to improve, change, correct the chair
design or to generate ideas for designing the ultimate chair.
+
=
Feathers-Soft + chair is hard = make seat soft
Yellow + chair is ship gray = add color
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Cre8ng
™
Styles
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Style Models
Herrmann Brain Dominance
Instrument MBTI
KAI
DISC
Human Synergistics
Kolb
Dunn & Dunn
Four-Sight
M.I.N.D. Design™
Square, squiggle, circle, triangle
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Rational,
Logical,
Analytical,
Individual
Intuitive,
Exploratory,
Unknown,
Fanciful
Systematic,
equations,
Step-by-step,
Proven Answers
Fun,
Harmonious,
Involving all,
Family/Team
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Idea Grid Excursions
Attribute Listing Forced Relationships
TRIZ Metaphors
S.C.A.M.P.E.R. Writing Relay
Checklisting Group Excursions
Brain Writing Guided Imagery
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Involvement Storyboard/Plan
WELCOMERS
BONDERS
OPENERS
WARM-UPS
ICE
BREAKERS
CONNECTORS
S.T.A.M.P.S.
CREATIVE
THINKING
TOOLS
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Danke
Nandri
Grazie
Merci
Terima Kasih
Abrigado
Gratis
Thank you lah
Gracias
Xie
xie
ni
No
worry
mate
Origato
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck
Contact information
Robert Alan Black, Ph.D., CSP
Cre8ng People, Places & Possibilities
P. O. Box 5805
Athens, Georgia 30604
alan@cre8ng.com
http://www.cre8ng.com
Creative Thinking Requires More than a Muse & Luck