ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews some of the techniques of creative problem solving that can be used. The techniques covered here are: Suggestion boxes, Storyboarding, Scenario writing, Scenario day-dreaming, Bionics, Free Association, Two words, Story writing, Mind Map, Fishbone Diagram, Lotus Blossom Technique, TRIZ and Vision Building. Scenario writing is a method of looking ahead and forces an organization to be receptive to the need for change and creative thinking. Free association can be used by anyone and can be used within existing paradigms. Like other techniques highly imaginative thinkers may be able to use the method to stretch or even break existing paradigms. Bionics is a special application of analogies and involves looking for stimulation in similar objects, products and processes. The search is usually restricted to examining biological and botanical systems using the argument that nature provides clues with regard to how to solve problems because it has itself solved many such problems.
