Our Craft

OVERVIEW: The CPS Thinking Skills Model

Our process are adapted from the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) Thinking Skills Model, a structured, deliberate approach to tackling challenges and generating novel solutions. It guides individuals and teams through three main stages—Clarification, Transformation, and Implementation—each containing two steps with dedicated divergent (expanding possibilities) and convergent (focusing choices) phases. By systematically exploring the challenge, generating abundant ideas, selecting and refining the most promising ones, and planning clear actions, CPS ensures that creative thinking remains grounded in practical outcomes. This balanced approach of opening up and then narrowing down fosters creativity, collaboration, and sustainable implementation of the chosen solutions. We adapt this framework to meet the needs of your particular challenge. Not every stage is needed to solve every challenge, and we may need to repeat a few to ensure new and novel outcomes.

1) CLARIFICATION STAGE

Thoroughly define and understand the challenge by exploring your goals, gathering relevant data, and honing in on the exact problem to solve. This step provides a solid foundation before moving into solution development.

STEP 1: Explore the Vision (sometimes called Objective Finding or Goal Finding)

  • Divergent Focus
    • Purpose: Generate a broad list of potential goals, wishes, or desired outcomes.
    • Typical Methods: Brainstorm wishes (e.g., “I wish…,” “It would be great if…”), list all areas that might need attention, or create a long-range vision for success.
    • Mindset: Aim to open up possibilities and imagine all that could be addressed or improved.
  • Convergent Focus
    • Purpose: Choose the specific goal or challenge that is most important, compelling, or timely.
    • Typical Methods: Use criteria (impact, feasibility, urgency) or simple prioritization to select the challenge you truly want to tackle.
    • Mindset: Narrow down to one clear, worthwhile direction.

STEP 2: Gather Data (sometimes called Fact Finding)

  • Divergent Focus
    • Purpose: Collect as much relevant information as possible about the chosen challenge—facts, figures, opinions, and context.
    • Typical Methods: Interviews, research, mind-mapping existing knowledge, listing out knowns/unknowns.
    • Mindset: Be expansive; include what’s known, what’s assumed, and what needs further investigation.
  • Convergent Focus
    • Purpose: Synthesize the most critical information so you gain a clear sense of the situation.
    • Typical Methods: Highlight key data, identify repeated patterns or themes, restate insights in concise terms.
    • Mindset: Sift through the information for the most relevant insights, discarding distractions.

2) TRANSFORMATION STAGE

Reframe the problem from multiple angles and generate a wide range of ideas, then refine and strengthen the most promising possibilities. Use this step to transition from defining the challenge to developing innovative solutions.

STEP 3: Clarify the Problem (sometimes called Problem Finding)

  • Divergent Focus
    • Purpose: Reframe or restate the problem in many ways. Often, the way we define a problem influences the solutions we uncover.
    • Typical Methods: “How might we…?”, “In what ways might we…?”, listing multiple problem statements or angles.
    • Mindset: Expand your viewpoint; allow surprising or unconventional definitions of the challenge to emerge.
  • Convergent Focus
    • Purpose: Select the most powerful or insightful problem statement—one that feels fresh and stimulates solutions.
    • Typical Methods: Rate or rank various statements for clarity, importance, and “solve-ability.”
    • Mindset: Choose the framing that truly invites breakthrough thinking.

STEP 4: Generate Ideas (sometimes called Idea Finding)

  • Divergent Focus
    • Purpose: Produce a large pool of possible solutions or approaches without judging or editing prematurely.
    • Typical Methods: Classic brainstorming, mind-mapping, forced connections, “worst idea” prompts, etc.
    • Mindset: Defer judgment. Seek quantity of ideas; welcome wild or unexpected possibilities.
  • Convergent Focus
    • Purpose: Identify and select the most promising ideas for further development.
    • Typical Methods: Highlighting, clustering similar ideas, scoring ideas against criteria (e.g., cost, impact, feasibility).
    • Mindset: Narrow down thoughtfully, focusing on which ideas are practical, intriguing, or have the highest potential.

3) IMPLEMENTATION STAGE

Convert your refined ideas into a concrete plan of action, assigning clear responsibilities and integrating them into real-world practice. This final step turns creativity into tangible outcomes.

STEP 5: Develop Solutions (sometimes called Solution Finding)

  • Divergent Focus
    • Purpose: Strengthen the selected idea(s) by exploring multiple ways to refine, enhance, or combine them.
    • Typical Methods: Use techniques like PPCO (Pluses, Potentials, Concerns, Overcoming concerns), prototyping, or seeking feedback.
    • Mindset: Remain open to building on, modifying, and improving each idea.
  • Convergent Focus
    • Purpose: Finalize which refined solution (or set of solutions) you will move forward with.
    • Typical Methods: Evaluate each refined option against success criteria, feasibility, stakeholder needs, or cost/time constraints.
    • Mindset: Zero in on the solution(s) that are most practical and compelling.

STEP 6: Plan for Action (sometimes called Acceptance Finding)

  • Divergent Focus
    • Purpose: Identify all key resources, stakeholders, steps, and possible obstacles needed to implement the chosen solution.
    • Typical Methods: Action steps brainstorming, stakeholder mapping, risk assessment, and scenario planning.
    • Mindset: Cast a wide net—consider who needs to be involved, what resources are required, timelines, pilot testing, etc.
  • Convergent Focus
    • Purpose: Develop a clear, actionable plan with a timeline, responsibilities, and specific next steps.
    • Typical Methods: Construct a step-by-step implementation roadmap, secure commitments, establish milestones.
    • Mindset: Move from possibility to reality—commit to action and accountability.