Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success from Coursera

In today’s ever-growing and changing world, being able to think creatively and innovatively are essential skills. It can sometimes be challenging to step back and reflect in an environment which is fast paced or when you are required to assimilate large amounts of information. Making sense of or communicating new ideas in an innovative and engaging way, approaching problems from fresh angles, and producing novel solutions are all traits which are highly sought after by employers.

This course will equip you with a ‘tool-box’, introducing you to a selection of behaviours and techniques that will augment your innate creativity. Some of the tools are suited to use on your own and others work well for a group, enabling you to leverage the power of several minds. You can pick and choose which of these tools or techniques suit your needs and interests, focusing on some or all of the selected approaches and in the order that fits best for you.

The practical approach of this course enables you to acquire an essential skill-set for generating ideas, with plenty of:

- Fun e-tivities and exercises;

- Practical lectures and tips;

- Video representations of the techniques in action.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Pick a type of brainstorming you think will be useful to apply to a challenge

- Use alphabet brainstorming in tackling a challenge

- Use grid brainstorming in tackling a challenge

- Use a morphological chart to synthesise a solution to a challenge

- Use the TRIZ contradiction matrix to identify recommended inventive principles

- Apply SCAMPER to a range of challenges

The greatest innovators aren’t necessarily the people who have the most original idea. Often, they are people- or teams- that have harnessed their creativity to develop a new perspective or more effective way of communicating an idea. You can train your imagination to seize opportunities, break away from routine and habit, and tap into your natural creativity.

Join this course and a community of practitioners in CREATIVITY!

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the Principles of Creativity

In the first week, we focus on the basic principles of creativity and highlight its importance in tackling global challenges. Creativity is explored and applied at two different levels, lower and higher-level creativity.

Creativity Tools

In this week, we will look at how we can augment our creativity using different methods of Brainstorming, a creativity approach that aids the generation of ideas in solving a stated problem. We particularly focus on the application of brainstorming tools in group activities, with the aim of enabling you to understand, evaluate and apply different types of brainstorming techniques in your own context.

Thinking Styles

There are many thinking styles which can be helpful in creativity. We will focus on the principles as well as application of a variety of thinking approaches that can be used at both at an individual level and in a group, under various professional and personal situations, allowing you to develop competency and accelerate proficiency in the use of some different thinking styles.

Morphological Analysis

You will become familiar with the Principles of Morphological Analysis and learn how to apply it in various life scenarios, from design to developing movie plot-lines, whilst developing a more systematic approach to idea generation.

TRIZ - the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving

In week 5, we continue to enhance your fluency, flexibility and originality of idea generation by introducing you to another creativity tool called the theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ). We will particularly focus on application of TRIZ and the TRIZ Contradiction Matrix and how it can be used in problem, both at an individual and in group level.

SCAMPER

This week, we will introduce you to the final creativity tool in the course and its importance in generation of ideas and improvement of the existing ones; SCAMPER. You will become familiar with the concepts of SCAMPER and gain proficiency in its application in various unusual, personal or professional situations, whilst inspiring related ideas.

Using the Tools in Combination

Now that you have mastered a wide range of creativity tools and developed competency in their application over a wide range of situations and domains, we will wrap up by asking you to use these tool in combinations and apply these in context and scenarios that are also related to your own discipline or context. This will help you reinforce the concepts that you have learnt so far and enable you to use the creativity tools freely in problem solving and idea generation.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops creative thinking skills, which are essential for solving problems and generating new ideas in today's fast-paced world

Taught by Peter Childs, an experienced instructor in creativity and innovation

Provides practical tools and exercises to enhance creativity, making it applicable in real-world situations

Suitable for individuals seeking to improve their creativity and problem-solving abilities

Covers various creativity tools and techniques, enabling learners to choose the most appropriate ones for their needs

Reviews summary

Creative sparks: techniques for problem-solving and innovation

This 7-week Coursera course on Creative Thinking was rated largely positive by students with 953 5-star reviews out of 1204 reviews. Learners say the course: * Provides many useful tools and techniques for creative problem-solving and innovation * Is well-structured and engaging, with a mix of videos, readings, quizzes, and assignments * Is taught by an experienced and knowledgeable instructor, Professor Peter Childs * Can be applied to a wide range of fields, including business, engineering, and the arts Here are some of the key takeaways from the course, according to students: * Creativity is not just about coming up with new ideas, but also about developing and implementing those ideas in a way that is both effective and responsible. * There are a number of different tools and techniques that can be used to enhance creativity, including brainstorming, mind mapping, and lateral thinking. * Creativity can be applied to any field, from business to engineering to the arts. It is a valuable skill for anyone who wants to solve problems, innovate, and make a difference in the world. Overall, students found this course to be a valuable and enjoyable learning experience. They would recommend it to anyone who is interested in developing their creative thinking skills.

The assignments and projects in this course are engaging and challenging. Students complete these assignments by applying creative thinking tools and techniques to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems.

"Assignments forced me to use the skills so that I could understand them and internalise them. Thank you Peter."

"I really enjoyed and learnt many new techniques and tools with examples and assignment. I would love to apply these techniques in my personal and professional life. Thank you so much."

"I was able to immediately implement the tools and skills learned each week into my work and my time at home."

The course includes many real-world examples of how creative thinking has been used to solve problems and innovate. This helps students to see how the tools and techniques they are learning can be applied in the real world.

"Enhanced very nicely with good knowledge. Thanks!!"

"I was able to learn and apply creative tools easily. I've especially enjoyed the morphological analysis tool as it has helped me break down an issue at work and start to solve it systemically."

"This course is so great enriching, several tooles are learned and its practical uses too.El curso es increíble y enriqeucedor, se aprenden varias herramientas y como usarlas con ejemplos reales."

Professor Peter Childs is an experienced and knowledgeable instructor. He is passionate about creativity and innovation, and he is able to communicate complex concepts in a clear and engaging way.

"The instructor gave clear lectures, has a great simulation videos with tips on how to use the creative tools. This course give the additional information and it's very useful and applicable to multidiscipline"

"It was only 5 stars because there aren't 6 available. It is a thoughtful, very well presented and resourced and the challenges are really worth doing, I have learned a lot and had a lot of fun in the process."

"Excellent videos and application activities. However, some forum discussions for certain weeks are lacking an 'add image' function. In addition, B-link doesn't seem to be working. Overall, the course is still worth a try."

Students learn how to apply creative thinking to real-world problems. They complete assignments and projects that require them to use the tools and techniques they have learned.

"This course will potentially and effectively augment and improve my analytical and thinking pattern and enhance my creativity ability to develop new ideas and metaphor as well as analogies."

"Had lots of fun doing this course.Learnt a lot of techniques regarding brainstorming ,TRIZ,Six hats(my favourite) and morphological analysis.I hope I could apply this knowledge in my field."

"I've used brainstorming in teams before. But I didn’t know that it could be so multifaceted. And I have never used other methods for solving inventive problems. And now they will definitely be applied in my life."

Students learn about a variety of creative tools and techniques, including brainstorming, mind mapping, and lateral thinking. These tools can be used to generate new ideas, solve problems, and make better decisions.

"This course provides many techniques that make you generate new ideas to solve some problem effectively. If you want to be a manager, inventor or something, this course is necessary."

"There are many types of CREATIVE thinking techniques learned with ease:1. Different types of Brainstorming Techniques, 2. Six Thinking Hats Technique, 3. Morphological analysis, 4. TRIZ, 5. SCAMPER"

"This course gave me an awesome explanation of methods for which I didn't know their name but was using them in everyday life. It's a must for those who want to enhance their skills and capabilities."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success with these activities:

Review Brainstorming Techniques

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Enhance your foundational brainstorming skills to improve your ability to generate innovative solutions throughout the course.

Browse courses on Brainstorming

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Revisit the principles of brainstorming, focusing on divergent thinking and suspending judgment.
Practice individual brainstorming using various techniques such as mind mapping and freewriting.
Engage in group brainstorming sessions to experience the power of collaboration and diverse perspectives.
Reflect on your brainstorming experiences and identify areas for improvement.

Apply Brainstorming Tools to Real-World Challenges

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Develop proficiency in applying the brainstorming tools introduced in the course to solve practical problems.

Browse courses on Problem Solving

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Identify a specific challenge or problem that you are facing.
Select appropriate brainstorming tools based on the nature of the challenge.
Facilitate a brainstorming session using the chosen tools.
Evaluate the ideas generated and select the most promising ones.
Implement the chosen solutions and assess their effectiveness.

Facilitate Brainstorming Sessions for Others

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Enhance your understanding of brainstorming by guiding others through the process and facilitating effective idea generation.

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Identify opportunities to facilitate brainstorming sessions for peers or colleagues.
Prepare for the session by reviewing the principles and tools of brainstorming.
Lead the session, ensuring a positive and inclusive environment.
Guide participants through various brainstorming techniques.
Facilitate discussion, encourage participation, and capture ideas.

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Participate in Creativity Challenges

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Test your creativity skills and gain valuable feedback by participating in online or offline creativity challenges.

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Identify creativity challenges or competitions relevant to your interests.
Register for the challenge and familiarize yourself with the rules and guidelines.
Brainstorm ideas and develop creative solutions for the challenge.
Submit your entries and receive feedback from judges or participants.
Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement.

Develop a Creativity Toolkit

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Create a personalized repository of brainstorming tools, techniques, and resources for future use.

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Compile a list of brainstorming tools and techniques covered in the course.
Research and explore additional brainstorming resources online.
Design a digital or physical notebook or binder to store your toolkit.
Organize and categorize the tools and resources within your toolkit.
Continuously update and refine your toolkit as you learn and grow.

Explore Advanced Creativity Techniques

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Expand your creativity toolbox by learning and practicing advanced techniques not covered in the course.

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Identify advanced creativity techniques that align with your interests.
Locate online tutorials or workshops that teach these techniques.
Follow the tutorials, complete exercises, and apply the techniques.
Share your learnings and insights with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Creativity Consultant

The skills of a Creativity Consultant are highly complementary to this course, which offers a range of techniques and tools that empower you to generate innovative ideas and overcome creative challenges. The course's emphasis on practical application enables you to develop a 'tool-box' of creativity approaches that can be customized to specific needs and situations, helping you excel in this profession that thrives on innovation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creativity Consultant

Creative Director

This course is highly relevant to Creative Directors, who are responsible for overseeing the creative vision and execution of various projects. The course's emphasis on brainstorming, idea generation, and problem-solving can help you develop the skills needed to lead creative teams, manage projects, and deliver innovative and effective creative solutions that meet client needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

Innovation Manager

This course aligns well with the role of an Innovation Manager, who is responsible for driving innovation within an organization. The course's focus on creative thinking and problem-solving techniques can help you develop the skills needed to identify opportunities, generate new ideas, and lead innovation initiatives that drive business growth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Manager

Design Researcher

This course can be a valuable asset to Design Researchers, as it provides a systematic approach to idea generation and problem-solving. The course's coverage of different thinking styles and creativity tools can help you develop the skills necessary to conduct effective user research, analyze data, and generate innovative design solutions that meet user needs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Researcher

Product Manager

This course can be beneficial for Product Managers, who are responsible for defining and managing the development of new products or features. The course's focus on creative thinking and idea generation can help you develop the skills needed to identify customer needs, generate innovative product concepts, and manage the product development process effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

This course may be useful for Marketing Managers, who are responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns. The course's emphasis on brainstorming, idea generation, and problem-solving can help you develop the skills needed to create innovative marketing strategies, generate compelling content, and manage marketing campaigns that drive brand awareness and customer engagement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Advertising Executive

This course may be helpful for Advertising Executives, who are responsible for developing and executing advertising campaigns. The course's emphasis on brainstorming, idea generation, and problem-solving can help you develop the skills needed to create innovative advertising concepts, generate compelling content, and manage advertising campaigns that drive brand awareness and customer action.

See salaries and explore the career path for Advertising Executive

Public Relations Specialist

This course may be helpful for Public Relations Specialists, who are responsible for managing the public image of organizations. The course's emphasis on creative thinking and problem-solving can help you develop the skills needed to generate innovative PR strategies, manage media relations, and handle crisis communications effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist

UX Designer

This course may be helpful for UX Designers, who are responsible for designing user interfaces for websites and applications. The course's emphasis on creative thinking and problem-solving can help you develop the skills needed to generate innovative UX designs, conduct user research, and create user-friendly and intuitive interfaces that enhance the user experience.

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Entrepreneur

This course may be helpful for Entrepreneurs, who are responsible for starting and running their own businesses. The course's emphasis on creative thinking and problem-solving can help you develop the skills needed to generate innovative business ideas, develop business plans, and overcome challenges that arise in the entrepreneurial journey.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Consultant

This course may be useful for Consultants, who are responsible for providing expert advice and guidance to clients. The course's emphasis on creative thinking and problem-solving can help you develop the skills needed to generate innovative solutions, analyze complex issues, and provide valuable insights that help clients achieve their goals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Writer

This course may be helpful for Writers, who rely on creativity and innovation to create compelling stories, articles, and other written content. The course's emphasis on brainstorming, idea generation, and problem-solving can help you develop the skills needed to generate innovative writing ideas, overcome writer's block, and produce engaging and effective written content that resonates with readers.

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Artist

This course may be helpful for Artists, who rely on creativity and innovation to express themselves and communicate their ideas. The course's emphasis on different thinking styles and creativity tools can help you develop the skills needed to generate innovative artistic concepts, experiment with different mediums, and create unique and meaningful works of art.

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Teacher

This course may be helpful for Teachers, who rely on creativity and innovation to engage students and make learning more effective. The course's emphasis on different thinking styles and creativity tools can help you develop the skills needed to create innovative lesson plans, design interactive activities, and foster a creative and collaborative learning environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Researcher

This course may be helpful for Researchers, who rely on creativity and innovation to generate new knowledge and solve complex problems. The course's emphasis on brainstorming, idea generation, and problem-solving can help you develop the skills needed to generate innovative research questions, design effective research methods, and analyze and interpret data to advance knowledge in various fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Researcher