How can you manage CPS and innovation teams more effectively?

Creative problem solving (CPS) is a skill that can help you generate novel and useful solutions to complex challenges. However, managing CPS and innovation teams can be tricky, as you need to balance divergent and convergent thinking, foster collaboration and communication, and deal with uncertainty and ambiguity. In this article, you will learn some tips and techniques to manage CPS and innovation teams more effectively and achieve better results.

1 Define the problem

The first step in CPS is to define the problem clearly and accurately. This will help you and your team focus on the real issue, avoid assumptions and biases, and set the scope and criteria for the solution. To define the problem, you can use tools such as the problem statement, the five whys, the fishbone diagram, or the stakeholder map. These tools will help you clarify the context, the causes, the effects, and the needs of the problem.

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Gijsbertus J.J. van Wulfen

Innovation keynote speaker, Number One Thought Leader Design Thinking 2024, LinkedIn Top Voice helping you and your organisation, to become amazing innovators with keynotes, workshops, and a proven innovation method.
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The BEST PRACTICE in the proven FORTH innovation methodology is to draft with the top management and aspirant project leader before the start if each project a so-called: INNOVATION ASSIGNMENT. How? When you answer together with all the stakeholders (3-5 persons) the following questions you get a clear picture of what innovation has got to deliver at the end: 1. Why do we need to innovate? 2. What are we looking for? 3. Who is the target group? 4. When do we want to launch it? 5. Where: in which countries? Or regions? 6. Which (financial) criteria the new offering has to meet? In this way both the board of directors and the innovation team has clear expectations what will be delivered at the end of the innovation expedition.

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2 Generate ideas

The next step in CPS is to generate as many ideas as possible, without judging or filtering them. This is called divergent thinking, and it requires you to be open-minded, curious, and playful. To generate ideas, you can use techniques such as brainstorming, brainwriting, SCAMPER, mind mapping, or random word association. These techniques will help you explore different perspectives, associations, and possibilities.

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Asher Fishman 🎧💥

Head of Growth & BD @ Dcentralab | 3x Web3 & Music Founder | Author | Ex-Techstars | Ex-Tezos | Adweek - Follow me for Music Tech and Sales/ BD Insights
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I think giving everyone the permission to brain dump is great. People’s creativity comes out when they are comfortable. Also look at competitors! We can always learn from others

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3 Evaluate and select ideas

The third step in CPS is to evaluate and select the best ideas from the pool of generated ideas. This is called convergent thinking, and it requires you to be critical, analytical, and realistic. To evaluate and select ideas, you can use tools such as the pros and cons list, the feasibility-viability-desirability matrix, the dot voting, or the PMI (plus-minus-interesting) technique. These tools will help you compare and contrast the ideas, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and align them with the problem criteria.

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Asher Fishman 🎧💥

Head of Growth & BD @ Dcentralab | 3x Web3 & Music Founder | Author | Ex-Techstars | Ex-Tezos | Adweek - Follow me for Music Tech and Sales/ BD Insights
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See what might have the lowest hanging fruit . I always try to think what will give the team the biggest bang for buck. In startups especially, moving fast and getting a lot for it is a massive win

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4 Develop and test solutions

The final step in CPS is to develop and test the selected ideas into viable solutions. This requires you to be creative, iterative, and experimental. To develop and test solutions, you can use methods such as prototyping, piloting, feedback, or experimentation. These methods will help you refine and improve the solutions, validate their assumptions, and measure their impact.

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5 Manage the team dynamics

Besides following the CPS steps, you also need to manage the team dynamics that affect the innovation process. This includes aspects such as the team composition, the team roles, the team culture, and the team communication. To manage the team dynamics, you can use strategies such as the Belbin team roles, the Tuckman stages of team development, the team charter, or the ground rules. These strategies will help you build a diverse, cohesive, and productive team.

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6 Adapt to the changing environment

Finally, you need to adapt to the changing environment that influences the innovation outcomes. This includes factors such as the customer needs, the market trends, the competitor actions, and the technological developments. To adapt to the changing environment, you can use approaches such as the lean startup, the agile methodology, the design thinking, or the scenario planning. These approaches will help you embrace uncertainty, learn from failure, and pivot when needed.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you manage CPS and innovation teams more effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

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7

1 Define the problem

2 Generate ideas

3 Evaluate and select ideas

4 Develop and test solutions

5 Manage the team dynamics

6 Adapt to the changing environment

7 Here’s what else to consider

Creative Problem Solving

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How can you manage CPS and innovation teams more effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define the problem

2 Generate ideas

3 Evaluate and select ideas

4 Develop and test solutions

5 Manage the team dynamics

6 Adapt to the changing environment

7 Here’s what else to consider

Creative Problem Solving

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