The creative thinking process

Creative problem solving presents a method and techniques for approaching a problem or a challenge in an imaginative and innovative way. It is generally accepted that the creative problem solving process can be broken down into six stages. A lack of structure and focus in such meetings when it came to making decisions and dealing with problems seemed to suggest that an interesting alternative approach which would evoke participant curiosity and interest might produce beneficial results. Creativity is associated with a freedom from thinking in vertical and logical ways so putting a structure onto the process seems to be the very antithesis of what the creative process is all about. The position with regard to the use of such techniques is complicated because some techniques are more useful for different problems than for others. There is also the point that creative problem solving techniques may not produce a solution to the handling of a situation or a problem.