Systematic Creative Thinking: Tools for Success from Coursera

Creativity is a widely acclaimed attribute. A range of creativity tools are available that rely on creativity principles to enable systematic idea generation. This module builds on the first module where various types of brainstorming were introduced along with the creativity diamond framework which provides a guide to which type of creative approach to use. Here we will introduce systematic creativity tools that can be used to provoke a wide range of ideas that might not normally arise and can be used to augment your innate creativity.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Familiarity with a range of approaches to creativity

• The principles of morphological analysis for generating ideas

• the principles of invention

• To be able to identify the recommended principles of invention for a given scenario of improving and worsening features

• How to use the SCAMPER creative idea provocation tool

• Use of the creativity diamond framework to guid what approach to creativity to use

SKILLS YOU WILL GAIN

• Familiarity with a range of approaches applied to creativity

• Systematic idea generation and creativity

• Being able to use a morphological chart to develop a range of solutions

• How to produce a morphological chart

• use of the TRIZ contradiction matrix in identifying principles of invention for resolving contradictions in problem solving

• Application of the SCAMPER creative idea provocation tool

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1

There are various creative tools that can be used to provoke a series of ideas that might not normally come to mind. This week you will learn the principles of Morphological Analysis and apply the tool in various life scenarios, from design to developing movie plotlines, whilst developing a more systematic approach to idea generation.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores systematic creativity tools for idea generation, enhancing innate creativity

Taught by Peter Childs, an expert in creativity and innovation

Introduces morphological analysis for generating diverse ideas

Provides a framework for selecting appropriate creativity approaches

Utilizes the SCAMPER tool to inspire creative ideas in various contexts

Suitable for individuals seeking to enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills

Reviews summary

Systematic creative thinking: practical tools

According to students, this course offers a highly practical and systematic approach to creative thinking, equipping learners with immediately applicable tools and frameworks. Many found the lectures clear and insightful, particularly praising the detailed explanations of Morphological Analysis, TRIZ, and SCAMPER. The content is described as well-structured, providing a solid foundation for systematic idea generation that can be applied in both professional and personal contexts. Some noted the course is an excellent introduction, suggesting it complements prior exposure to Module 1 but largely stands alone in teaching creative problem-solving techniques.

Benefits from or complements previous course, but largely self-contained.

"Having taken the first module was helpful for context, but I felt this course stood well on its own without it."

"The mention of the 'Creativity Diamond Framework' from the first module was a good reminder, but not essential for understanding."

"I did not take the first module, and I was still able to understand the concepts fully and benefit from the course content."

Excellent for beginners, but advanced learners may seek deeper exploration.

"As someone new to creative thinking methodologies, I found this course an excellent starting point and highly accessible."

"The course provided a solid foundation, but I'd be interested in a more advanced module on some topics like TRIZ for deeper dives."

"While the course covered multiple tools effectively, I felt some could have been explored in even greater depth for comprehensive mastery."

Techniques are useful for both professional and personal scenarios.

"I was able to apply the creative tools taught here to both my professional projects and personal problem-solving efforts."

"The concepts are universally applicable, not just limited to one domain or industry, which is a huge plus."

"Whether for business innovation or just thinking differently in daily life, this course delivered practical value."

Lectures and materials are clear, engaging, and easy to follow.

"The lectures were clear and concise, making complex topics like TRIZ principles surprisingly easy to grasp."

"I found the explanations of the various tools to be straightforward and well-articulated by the instructor."

"The course content was engaging and held my attention throughout the weeks, ensuring a good learning experience."

Teaches a structured, systematic way to foster creativity.

"It taught me how to approach creative challenges in a more systematic way, which is a game-changer for problem-solving."

"Before this course, my creative process felt random; now I have a structured framework to guide my thinking."

"I appreciate the focus on systematic idea generation, making creativity less about innate talent and more about method."

Provides actionable tools for systematic idea generation.

"I found the SCAMPER and TRIZ methodologies to be incredibly useful for my work, offering tangible ways to generate new ideas."

"This course offered practical tools that I could immediately apply in my job for generating new ideas and solving problems."

"The emphasis on Morphological Analysis really helped me structure my creative process and explore diverse solutions."

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 Systematic Creative Thinking: Tools for Success with these activities:

Review Creativity Techniques

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Review the basic creativity techniques to familiarize yourself with the concepts and approaches used in the course.

Browse courses on Morphological Analysis

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Read the provided materials on creativity techniques.
Apply the techniques to a simple problem or scenario.
Share your findings with a peer or instructor for feedback.

Morphological Analysis Exercises

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Practice using morphological analysis to generate ideas and solutions for various scenarios.

Browse courses on Morphological Analysis

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Choose a problem or scenario to work on.
Identify the relevant parameters and their possible values.
Create a morphological chart.
Generate and evaluate ideas based on the chart.

SCAMPER Idea Provocation

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Use the SCAMPER technique to generate innovative ideas for a given challenge or opportunity.

Browse courses on SCAMPER

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Identify a problem or opportunity to focus on.
Apply the SCAMPER prompts to the problem or opportunity.
Generate and record your ideas.

Four other activities

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TRIZ Principle Exploration

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Explore the principles of TRIZ and how they can be used to solve problems and improve solutions.

Browse courses on TRIZ

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Review the basic principles of TRIZ.
Apply the TRIZ principles to a specific problem or challenge.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the TRIZ approach.

Solving Problems with Morphological Analysis

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Gain a deeper understanding of morphological analysis and its applications in problem-solving.

View 40 Principles: TRIZ Keys to Technical... on Amazon

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Read the book to understand the principles of morphological analysis.
Apply the techniques to a real-world problem or challenge.
Share your findings with a peer or instructor for feedback.

Creativity Brainstorming Sessions

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Engage in brainstorming sessions with peers to generate and refine innovative ideas.

Browse courses on Creativity

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Organize a brainstorming session with a group of peers.
Define a clear problem or challenge to focus on.
Use creativity techniques to generate ideas.
Discuss, refine, and select the most promising ideas.

Creativity Toolkit Development

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Create a personal toolkit of creativity techniques and resources to support your problem-solving and idea generation process.

Browse courses on Idea Generation

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Identify the creativity techniques that resonate with you.
Gather resources and materials related to the techniques.
Organize and document your toolkit in a accessible format.

Career center

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

Innovation Consultant

An Innovation Consultant helps companies develop and implement new products, processes, and services. This course can help you succeed in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Consultant

Design Engineer

A Design Engineer designs and develops new products and systems. This course can help you succeed in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Engineer

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the development and launch of new products. This course can help you succeed in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. This course can help you succeed in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Advertising Manager

An Advertising Manager is responsible for developing and implementing advertising campaigns. This course can help you succeed in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Advertising Manager

Sales Manager

A Sales Manager is responsible for leading and managing a sales team. This course can help you succeed in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Manager

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. This course can help you succeed in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course can help you succeed in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

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Entrepreneur

An Entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs their own business. This course can help you succeed in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Teacher

A Teacher is responsible for educating students. This course may be useful for you in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Librarian

A Librarian is responsible for managing and providing access to library resources. This course may be useful for you in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Archivist

An Archivist is responsible for preserving and providing access to historical records. This course may be useful for you in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

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Museum curator

A Museum Curator is responsible for managing and preserving museum collections. This course may be useful for you in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Nonprofit Manager

A Nonprofit Manager is responsible for leading and managing a nonprofit organization. This course may be useful for you in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Government Official

A Government Official is responsible for developing and implementing public policy. This course may be useful for you in this role by providing you with the tools and techniques you need to generate creative ideas and solve problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Government Official