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Take It Outside the Box - Creative Problem Solving Using Design Thinking
This programme is aimed at providing participants a variety of tools and techniques for creative problem solving. Certainly, the creative process is important as is the need to find solutions, but to contextualise the whole activity, participants will be introduced to the processes of Design Thinking and Systems Thinking.
Despite its name, the Design Thinking process is not the exclusive domain of designers, and certainly not product designers. The process is one that anyone can and should to design something better – be it a product, a process or even a service. Participants are introduced to this because it effectively a thought process that is applied to improvement, and by extension, to finding a solution to a problem.
Part of the Design Thinking process involves a step where the specific issue/problem is defined. This is actually easier said than done because oftentimes, we define problems based on a superficial awareness of the problem. This is often the symptom, and not the cause of the problem.
Consider taking a pill like Aspirin or Panadol when you have a headache. The “problem” appears to be solved, but in reality, it is only the symptom (the headache) that is addressed. The problem is what actually caused the headache.
To figure this out, we rely on another tool called Systems Thinking, which attempts to get to the root of the problem – Root Cause Analysis. If the root cause is resolved, the problem is solved – often permanently. Participants will learn this technique and have the opportunity to practice it.
The next important part of the Design Thinking process is the concept of Ideation – THIS is where the creative problem solving approaches come into play; once the root cause has been identified, how can it be solved. Certainly every problem is different and so a solution can’t be provided. Instead, participants will be exposed to some tools that can be used and applied to almost any situation.
By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the skills for Creative Problem Solving.
Despite its name, the Design Thinking process is not the exclusive domain of designers, and certainly not product designers. The process is one that anyone can and should to design something better – be it a product, a process or even a service. Participants are introduced to this because it effectively a thought process that is applied to improvement, and by extension, to finding a solution to a problem.
Part of the Design Thinking process involves a step where the specific issue/problem is defined. This is actually easier said than done because oftentimes, we define problems based on a superficial awareness of the problem. This is often the symptom, and not the cause of the problem.
Consider taking a pill like Aspirin or Panadol when you have a headache. The “problem” appears to be solved, but in reality, it is only the symptom (the headache) that is addressed. The problem is what actually caused the headache.
To figure this out, we rely on another tool called Systems Thinking, which attempts to get to the root of the problem – Root Cause Analysis. If the root cause is resolved, the problem is solved – often permanently. Participants will learn this technique and have the opportunity to practice it.
The next important part of the Design Thinking process is the concept of Ideation – THIS is where the creative problem solving approaches come into play; once the root cause has been identified, how can it be solved. Certainly every problem is different and so a solution can’t be provided. Instead, participants will be exposed to some tools that can be used and applied to almost any situation.
By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the skills for Creative Problem Solving.
Objective
DURATION – 1 day. (*2-day option available)
*2-day course offers the opportunity to actually build pretotypes and apply techniques to actual
problems faced by participants
By the end of the session, participant will be able to:
*2-day course offers the opportunity to actually build pretotypes and apply techniques to actual
problems faced by participants
By the end of the session, participant will be able to:
- Recognise the concept of a problem
- Understand the Design Thinking Process
- Empathise
- Define
- Ideate
- Prototype
- Test
- Be familia with the process of Systems Thinking
- Use Systems Thinking to define the actual problem, and its root cause
- Root Cause Analysis
- Adopt creative problem-solving tools to ideate
- BrainstormingBraindumpingBrainwritingBrainwalkingWorst Possible Idea
- Recognise how prototyping and testing can improve problem solving
- Consider the feedback loop and improving the process
- Build and test pretotypes to address actual problems (*2-Day Course only)
Outline
Introduction and Icebreaker
• Getting to know fellow participants
• Self-reflection on creativity
Problems
• Learning About Problems
• Defining Problems
The Box
• Recognising the “boxes” we place ourselves in
• Learning to see beyond the box
Design Thinking
• Learning about the Design Thinking process
• Practicing some Ideation techniques
Prototyping Practice (*2-day course)
• Applying design thinking techniques and creating and testing a real pretotyp
• Getting to know fellow participants
• Self-reflection on creativity
Problems
• Learning About Problems
• Defining Problems
The Box
• Recognising the “boxes” we place ourselves in
• Learning to see beyond the box
Design Thinking
• Learning about the Design Thinking process
• Practicing some Ideation techniques
Prototyping Practice (*2-day course)
• Applying design thinking techniques and creating and testing a real pretotyp
Methodology
• Presentation
• Group Activities
• Exercises
• Discussion
• Hands-on practice
• Group Activities
• Exercises
• Discussion
• Hands-on practice
Profile of Sean O'Hara
Mr. O'Hara is currently the principal trainer and principal consultant in local company. Previously, he was the consultant Group General Manager for listed company and vice president at local education Institution and training program manager to manage multi-million dollar training program. He was also engaged to conduct corporate training and share his best practices which were implemented worldwide. He also conducted training on cross-cultural management within the Pacific area and the United States and was even invited to train students from Europe and Africa.
He has developed and delivered programs on Cross-Cultural Management and conducted corporate training for the Ministry of Defence's (MINDEF), the Singapore General Hospital and a Singapore retail giant, Club 21 and etc, covering the areas of culture, EQ, communication and change management. He has also conducted train-the-trainer sessions in Design Thinking.
He currently also lectures at the Curtin University Campus in Singapore, Victoria University (VU), Australia as an adjunct lecturer for Bachelor's and Master's degree programs. He focuses on management subjects and social psychology, which he leverages on when training managerial staff.
As a former regular Army Officer and Sword winner in the SAF he has always held leadership positions. He has a Master's degree in International Relations awarded by the prestigious Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy (Tufts University) as well as a Bachelor's degree in Management (with honours) awarded by the London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London). He also has an Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) and is a certified "6 Seconds" (TM) EQ practitioner & coach as a well as a certified trainer in the Enneagram Personality Spectrum. He is also a certified Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centred Coach.
