ABSTRACT
Creative thinkers have the capacity to put things together in new ways, detect hidden patterns, perceive connections between seemingly unrelated issues or events, and generate solutions. Policy research is about building foundations for moving forward. "[T]he more the product stimulates further work and ideas, the more the product is creative". Learning how to make decisions that produce a strong product in the simplest way is a tremendous advantage in the constantly resource-strapped policy research reality. An artisan is skilled in the tools of a craft and uses them to create products that are not mass produced but fitted to the constraints and opportunities of the material being used. Each product is a unique application, often functional, with an artistic touch. Knowing the characteristics of the raw material and the capabilities and limitations of the tools and having the ability to foresee how they will interact are central to the quality of the resulting product.
