"We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future." - George Bernard Shaw

Throughout history, man has sought to understand and define the creative problem solving process.  That mystical realm of our psyche that defines problems and searches for solutions.  Although the pursuit of defining this process started before even Leonardo Da Vinci's time, he appears to be the first to document the approach:

• Leonardo Da Vinci CPS Model:
• Curiosita: An insatiably curious approach to life
• Dimonstratzione: A commitment to test knowledge through experience
• Sensazione: The continual refinement of the senses, especially sight, as the means to clarify experience
• Sfumato: A willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox, and uncertainty
• Arte/Scienza: The development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination ("whole-brain thinking")
• Corporalita: The cultivation of ambidexterity, fitness, and poise
• Connessione: A recognition and appreciation for the connectedness of all things and phenomena; "systems thinking"

However, 20th Century psychology and business scholars have brought modern day thinking-styles to the definition of CPS:

• 1910 - John Dewey:
• Difficulty is felt
• Difficulty is located and defined
• Possible solutions suggested
• Consequences considered
• Solution accepted

• 1926 - Graham Wallace
• Preparation
• Incubation
• Illumination
• Verification

• 1945 - G. Poyla
• Understanding the problem
• Devising a plan
• Carrying out the plan
• Looking back

• 1952 - Rossman
• Need or difficulty observed
• Available information surveyed
• Solutions formulated
• Solutions critically examined
• New ideas formulated
• New ideas tested and accepted

• 1955 - Johnson
• Preparation
• Production
• Judgment

• 1957 - Kingsley & Garry
• Difficulty is felt
• Problem clarified and defined
• Search for clues conducted
• Various suggestions appear and are tried out
• A suggestion solution is accepted
• Solution is tested

• 1962 - Phillip Merrifield
• Difficulty is felt
• Problem defined
• Hypothesis generated
• Hypothesis tested
• Solution applied
• Reapplication

• 1963 - Alex Osborn
• Fact-Finding
• Idea-Finding
• Solution-Finding

• 1967 - J.P. Guilford
• Attention aroused/directed
• Problem sensed/structured
• Answers generated
• New information obtained
• New answers generated

• 1980s - Unknown
• Mess-Finding
• Data-Finding
• Problem-Finding
• Idea-Finding
• Solution-Finding

• 1990s - Unknown
• Sensing
• Defining
• Gathering
• Generating
• Incubating
• Generating
• Testing
• Applying
• Communicating
• Accepting

• 2007 - Paul Williams/Think For A Change
  
• Problem Identification
• Applying Existing Knowledge to the Problem
• Applying Idea Generation Techniques
• Idea Input
• Idea Feasibility Analysis
• Idea Selection
  
• Idea Implementation
• Idea Feedback
• Idea Changes

Honestly, there are hundreds of CPS models out there, all with a slight twist.  Here's a few more to research when you have the time:

• Walt Disney Model
• Einstein Model
• Disney Imagineer Model
• Purposeful Creativity Model
• Creative Square Model
• Parnes Model
• Theories of Creativity Model
• Vance Model
• Higgins Model
• Barron's Model
• Finding Model
• Koberg & Bagnall Model
• Creative Strategic Planning Model
• Fritz Model
• Directed Creativity Cycle Model
• Future Memory Model
• Blank Stare Model
• Competent Leader Model
• Doblin Model
• Amabile Model
• GoInnovate Model
• Google Model
• Hewlett-Packard Model
• DIGI-MIR Model
• Continuous Innovation Model
• Idea Generation Equation Model

But what all of these models represent can all be boiled down into five easy steps:

1. Identify the problem
2. Think about the problem
3. Generate ideas that may solve the problem
4. Try out the ideas
5. Learn from trying

We still have much to learn about how problems are solved creatively.  These models offer us a road map to follow, but new discoveries are still out there.  Learn from the work of those who have preceded us, but also strive to discover and document for those who have yet to come.

Have a Great Week!!!