1. Creative Problem Solving
A step-by-step Guide

2. In the next few slides you will learn
an innovative approach to problem
solving, using the method called
Systematic Inventive Thinking®

3. The problem
A gas company maintains a 3,000 mile pipeline.
Somewhere in the pipe there’s a tiny leakage,
causing damage to the environment.
The company is looking for a fast and cost effective
solution to locate the hole.

4. We’d like to share a systematic
approach that leads to a simple,
creative solution

5. Problem Solving Technique – Step 1
First, let’s list all existing components
in the scenario

6. Problem Solving Technique – Step 1
First, let’s list all existing components
in the scenario
• pipeline
• gas
• animals
• wind

7. Problem Solving Technique – Step 2
Now we’ll choose one
of the existing components
• pipeline
• gas
• animals
• wind

8. Problem Solving Technique – Step 3
Let’s write down different
characteristics of the
chosen component

9. Problem Solving Technique – Step 3
Let’s write down different
characteristics of the
chosen component
• color
• smell
• density
• temperature
• solid/liquid

10. Problem Solving Technique – Step 4
Choose one characteristic,
multiply it and change
something in the copy
• color
• smell
• density
• temperature
• solid/liquid

11. Problem Solving Technique – Step 4
Choose one characteristic,
multiply it and change
something in the copy
3 types of gas,
each with a
different smell:
sweet, bitter,
neutral

12. Problem Solving Technique – Step 5
Ask yourself – How could having 3 different
types of gas smell, help solve the leakage?

13. By now, our systematic approach
probably got you some good ideas

14. Here’s the simple solution that was
really chosen

15. Dead-animal smells added to the gas will
attract certain animals, which will gather
around the leak. A high concentration of
these animals will reveal the gas leak

16. So how did this problem solved by
the systematic approach?

17. This is what we call
“thinking inside the box”

18. Systematically thought of ideas,
within a “closed world” leads you to
creative solutions that can be easily
implemented

19. And you can do it again. By using
SIT – Systematic Inventive Thinking®

20. And you can do it again. By using
SIT – Systematic Inventive Thinking®

21. Be an Innovative Manager!
Boost your managements skills and outplay
your market with SIT’s 3-day premium
innovation training course.
February 27-29, 2012
NYC