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Creative Problem Solving with SCAMPER

SCAMPER is a technique you can use to spark your creativity and help you overcome any challenge you may be facing. In essence, SCAMPER is a general-purpose checklist with idea-spurring questions — which is both easy to use and surprisingly powerful. It was created by Bob Eberle in the early 70s, and it definitely stood the test of time. In this posting, I present a complete SCAMPER primer, along with two free creativity-boosting resources: a downloadable reference mind map and an online tool that generates random questions to get you out of a rut whenever you need. SCAMPER Primer SCAMPER is based on the notion that everything new is a modification of something that already exists. S = SubstituteC = CombineA = AdaptM = MagnifyP = Put to Other UsesE = Eliminate (or Minify)R = Rearrange (or Reverse) To use the SCAMPER technique, first state the problem you’d like to solve or the idea you’d like to develop. Consider, for instance, the problem "How can I increase sales in my business?" Combine

A to-do list to organize your tasks List of fallacies A fallacy is incorrect argument in logic and rhetoric resulting in a lack of validity, or more generally, a lack of soundness. Fallacies are either formal fallacies or informal fallacies. Formal fallacies[edit] Main article: Formal fallacy Appeal to probability – is a statement that takes something for granted because it would probably be the case (or might be the case).[2][3]Argument from fallacy – assumes that if an argument for some conclusion is fallacious, then the conclusion is false.Base rate fallacy – making a probability judgment based on conditional probabilities, without taking into account the effect of prior probabilities.[5]Conjunction fallacy – assumption that an outcome simultaneously satisfying multiple conditions is more probable than an outcome satisfying a single one of them.[6]Masked man fallacy (illicit substitution of identicals) – the substitution of identical designators in a true statement can lead to a false one. Propositional fallacies[edit]

What is Mind Mapping? (and How to Get Started Immediately) A mind map is a graphical way to represent ideas and concepts. It is a visual thinking tool that helps structuring information, helping you to better analyze, comprehend, synthesize, recall and generate new ideas. Just as in every great idea, its power lies in its simplicity. In a mind map, as opposed to traditional note taking or a linear text, information is structured in a way that resembles much more closely how your brain actually works. Since it is an activity that is both analytical and artistic, it engages your brain in a much, much richer way, helping in all its cognitive functions. So, how does a mind map look like? (click for larger image) This is a mind map about – conveniently enough – mind mapping itself. Benefits and Uses I think I already gave away the benefits of mind mapping and why mind maps work. But what can we use mind maps for? How to Draw a Mind Map Drawing a mind map is as simple as 1-2-3: Some more recommendations: Use colors, drawings and symbols copiously.

Six Thinking Hats From Mycoted Early in the 1980s Dr. Edward de Bono invented the Six Thinking Hats method. The method is a framework for thinking and can incorporate lateral thinking. The six hats represent six modes of thinking and are directions to think rather than labels for thinking. The method promotes fuller input from more people. The key point is that a hat is a direction to think rather than a label for thinking. encourage Parallel Thinking encourage full-spectrum thinking separate ego from performance There are six metaphorical hats and the thinker can put on or take off one of these hats to indicate the type of thinking being used. White Hat thinking This covers facts, figures, information needs and gaps. Red Hat thinking This covers intuition, feelings and emotions. Black Hat thinking This is the hat of judgment and caution. Yellow Hat thinking This is the logical positive. Green Hat thinking This is the hat of creativity, alternatives, proposals, what is interesting, provocations and changes.

Paper Pile Makeover Results! A few weeks ago I set out to reform my towering pile of papers. It was an overwhelming catastrophe. When I gathered all of the papers together, they buried my dining table. The grand theme for this makeover was: Why do I still have this? When I was younger and single I could save everything, because it really wasn’t too much. Many times that I sorted through my papers, I was organizing them, when I should have been purging them. Gradually as life became busier, I didn’t have time to maintain them all, and eventually I gave up. It was time to toss them, in a drastic way. A Sample: Kept: A letter from my great-grandma telling me how different Germany is now that they have airplanes and ice.Tossed: A stack of graduation and wedding cards. Kept: A card from my granny with two dimes taped to the inside.Tossed: An information manual (literally, a book) with instructions to operate my couch. Now all of the papers fit in a few boxes, a couple of folders, and one file box. Make Over Your Paper Pile:

Category:Creativity Techniques This A to Z of Creativity and Innovation Techniques, provides an introduction to a range of tools and techniques for both idea generation (Creativity) and converting those ideas into reality (Innovation). Like most tools these techniques all have their good and bad points. I like to think of these creativity and innovation techniques as tools in a toolbox in much the same way as my toolbox at home for DIY. For the future, the aim is to also have sub-categories which will identify Techniques for; Problem Definition - including problem analysis, redifinition, and all aspects associated with defining the problem clearly. Special thanks to the Open University for their kind permission to use material from their publication B822. Subcategories This category has the following 5 subcategories, out of 5 total. Pages in category "Creativity Techniques" The following 192 pages are in this category, out of 192 total.

120 Ways to Boost Your Brain Power Here are 120 things you can do starting today to help you think faster, improve memory, comprehend information better and unleash your brain’s full potential. Solve puzzles and brainteasers.Cultivate ambidexterity. Use your non-dominant hand to brush your teeth, comb your hair or use the mouse. Write with both hands simultaneously. Readers’ Contributions Dance! Contribute your own tip! There are many, many ways to keep our brains sharp. Simplex From Mycoted This technique is an industrial-strength creativity tool, which takes the DO IT method to the next level of sophistication. Rather than seeing creativity as a single straight-line process, Simplex views it as the uninterrupted cycle it should be, where completion and implementation of one cycle of creativity leads straight into the next cycle of creative improvement (see the 8 stage cycle that simplex uses below) Problem Finding Discovering the right problem to resolve is the most difficult part of the creative process. The problem may be obvious or need to be flushed out using rigger question such as: What would your customers want you to improve? These questions deal with problems that exist now. Fact Finding The next phase is to locate as much information relating to the problem as possible. This phase also involves assessing the quality of the information that you have. Problem definition It is essential to solve a problem at the precise level. Idea Finding Planning Sell Idea

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