Getting Stuff Done!
Have you ever started on a project but not completed it?
Maybe some obstacle got in the way. Maybe you just lost focus.
Maybe creative problem solving can help.
You might be surprised to learn that project planning and implementation are part of the creative problem solving process. But consider this: the goal of the process is “problem solving.” If all we do is come up with innovative ideas to address the problem, but we never actually implement them, we’ve missed the point.
So to wrap up our series on the creative problem solving process, we’re going to explore the fourth – and last – stage of the process.
As a reminder, there are four distinct stages to creative problem solving.
Clarify: Identifying the issue, expanding understanding with related data, and formulating the real challenge to be addressed.
Ideate: Generating ideas that may address the challenge.
Develop: Evaluating, strengthening, and selecting a solution to be implemented.
Implement: Exploring acceptance and identifying resources and action steps to implement the selected solution.
Over the past three weeks, we’ve unpacked the Clarify, Ideate, and Develop stages. Now it’s time to Implement!
Implement
The Implement stage is where we take the selected solution and identify what will help and hinder us in making it a reality. In this stage, we create a concrete and specific plan that identifies the resources and action steps that are needed to implement the solution.
In this post, we'll look at what it will take for me to complete the creative problem solving process for my backyard makeover.
As a reminder:
My original problem was that my garden was overrun with weeds.
We clarified the problem as “How might my yard become a place that is neat, colorful, and low maintenance?”
From the Ideate phase, I ended with “What I see myself doing is hiring a landscaper to take care of it.”
After the Develop stage, I can say “NOW what I see myself doing is developing a vision and budget to guide a landscaper to improve my backyard.”
Just as in the earlier stages, we will use both divergent and convergent thinking to develop our action plan for implementation.
To ensure that we develop the most comprehensive and solid action plan possible, we’re going to diverge in two ways.
Diverge: Assisters and Resisters
First, we’ll use a tool called “Assisters and Resisters.” It’s quite simple: We create two lists.
Assisters: Write down the people or resources that can help move the proposed solution forward and make it a reality or a success.
Resisters: Write down the people or things that can hinder the progress of the solution.
My example for my backyard makeover:
Assisters:
My husband supports it.
We have some funding for it.
We have ideas for what we’d like the end result to be.
I have a growing network of local business owners who can help me find the right contractor.
We have little attachment to most of the existing plants which should make clearing the area easier.
Resisters:
The estimates might be overbudget.
I might get too busy to research and set appointments with contractors.
I have a tendency to be indecisive which can slow things down.
If the plans include a fence, I’m not sure what our neighbors will think.
Much like with the “Concerns” and “Overcoming Concerns” steps of the PPCO, I then generate ideas for ways to overcome the resistance.
I could overcome the “overbudget” hindrance by generating two or three “levels” of the project. If my top tier vision is too expensive, I can seek an estimate for a lower tier. My worry about the neighbors means that I should add “Talk with the neighbors” to my action plan. (And if I find out that they will be bothered, I might want to use divergent thinking to come up with creative ways to win them over!)
Identifying resistance and obstacles in advance and planning for them will greatly increase the chances of success in implementation.
Consider how this would work if you used this in a professional setting in your organization. It’s likely that other people or departments in your organization might be named as assisters or resisters. What benefits might you experience if you intentionally planned ways to leverage your assisters and thoughtfully neutralized your resisters?
Diverge: Mind Map
The second tool we’ll use to spark divergent thinking about the steps that will be needed to implement our solution is a mind map. You can find a more detailed explanation of a mind map and how to create one here.
As a simple explanation, a mind map is a nonlinear diagram that shows how items are linked to and radiate from a central thought. In this case, the goal is to identify ALL of the specific action steps that will be needed in order to complete the project.
I start with a circle in the center of a blank page, and write my topic in the center of a page (e.g. hire a landscaper to improve my backyard).
Then I draw lines out from that circle that connect to other thoughts related to that topic (e.g. set a budget, choose a landscaper, develop plan).
Each of those thoughts will likely spur other “branches.” For example, “choose a landscaper” will have branches such as “ask for recommendations from friends and neighbors,” “ask in local business networking groups,” “research recommendations online,” “set up consultations,” “get quotes,” “compare services and prices,” and more.
Note: As the mind map expands, and you add more and more items, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the scope. Don’t let this happen. Instead, reframe it by saying “Isn’t it great that I’m identifying all these action steps up front?! This will help me create a really solid plan!”
The more granular you can get when writing down action steps, the better. While it might add bulk to your mind map, it will ultimately help you when implementing your solution. You’ll be more likely to get to work when the steps are small and easy to accomplish in a short timeframe.
Whenever you come to a pause in adding to the mind map, just ask yourself “What else will I need to do?” Remember, adding to the mind map is a good thing!
Once you really come to a stop and can’t think of any more action steps, you can move on to the Converge step.
Converge
We’re almost at the finish line!
In this last step we use convergent thinking to bring ALL the data from the divergent thinking exercises into one detailed action plan.
The action plan is simply a list. The list should include the action to be taken, the person responsible, and the deadline.
Once all the action steps are listed, they should be arranged according to when they need to be completed.
To help yourself (or your team) get started right away, you should identify one “jump start” action step that can be completed in the next few hours, and a next step that can be done within the next 24 hours.
For example, my first jump start action is to text a friend whose father used to do landscaping. My next actions will be to post on Facebook to ask for recommendations and to ask my neighbor if she’s had work done on her yard. (Do you see how granular and specific these steps are?)
Remember that the action plan should be reviewed regularly and can always be edited. As you implement the project, you may think of new action steps that need to be added. Alternatively, some action steps might need to be changed or deleted. Make any changes needed so that you stay on track and continue moving forward in implementing your solution.
There you have it! If you’ve followed the steps, you should now have a bright, shiny, comprehensive Action Plan!
You’ve planned the work, now all you need to do is work the plan. Follow your action steps and celebrate every little checkmark or crossed off item!
Conclusion
The best part of creative problem solving is that it generates new and positive energy.
I started this process weeks ago feeling stressed and overwhelmed by a garden that was overrun with weeds. To be honest, I was also feeling a bit ashamed that I’d let it get so bad.
The idea of hiring someone to help wasn’t particularly new to me. However, I’d typically only thought about hiring someone to fix the immediate problem and get rid of the weeds.
After working through this process, I have a different awareness (it’s ok if the garden changes or disappears), different emotions (excitement and curiosity), and a different plan (hiring someone to bring to life an interesting vision for our backyard).
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again now: This process works. And it works on problems of all shapes, sizes, and contexts. It works on gardens; it works on people. It works in manufacturing; it works in ministry. I use it as a coach; I use it as a doggie-mama.
I took four weeks to explain it here over four long blog posts. And sometimes this process needs several hours (or a few days) to complete. But it can also be done in 60 minutes or even 6 minutes.
And now, you can do it in your own life. Just remember:
Creativity is a mindset, a process, and a set of tools.
Mindsets, processes, and tools are all skills which can be learned - and because of that, everyone can be creative.
Creativity requires both divergent thinking (generates ideas and options) and convergent thinking (evaluates ideas and makes solid decisions).
Creative problem solving is fueled by turning problems into questions.
When you have a problem, clarify it, ideate options, develop solutions, and then implement a plan.
I’m sending you all my good vibes as you think differently about your own challenges, and I’m cheering you on as you engage in solving them creatively. Just remember that I’m in your corner every step of the way, and if you should get stuck and need a creative thinking partner, reach out anytime!
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