# Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving Process The Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving Process (aka CPS) based on the work of Alex Osborn and Sidney Parnes in the 1940s and 1950s. Alex Osborn is the guy who coined the term [[brainstorming]]. The modern process is broken into four stages: 1. **Generating/Clarifying** - formulate questions to understand the problem and explore the challenge. Want open-ended questions that function as inspiration to seeking solutions. 1. **Conceptualizing/Ideating** - exploring ideas creatively through [[divergent thinking]]. Brainstorm individually or collaboratively. [[quantity leads to quality|Generate many ideas]], no matter how strange or far-fetched. Withhold judgement until ideas can be explored. 2. **Optimizing/Developing** - develop and refine solutions through [[convergent thinking]]. Assess possibilities. Work [[iteration|iteratively]] to test and refine potential solutions. 3. **Implementing** - figure out how to achieve the chosen final solution. This stage involves communicating solutions with shareholders, identifying needed resources and supports. The original process included six steps. The original first three steps are condensed into the first step of the modern process. 1. **Mess-Finding/Objective-Finding** - asking questions to define problem objectives and goals. 2. **Fact-Finding** - information gathering and observation of acquired materials to understand the problem. Seek to fill gaps in knowledge. 3. **Problem-Finding** - use the questions and research to identify detailed problems and begin to seek creative solutions. Defining the correct problems aids in finding appropriate solutions. --- 4. **Idea-Finding** - the [[divergent thinking]] phase for generating lots of potential solutions. Activities can include [[brainstorming]], [[mind mapping]], sketching, model building, diagramming, etc. 5. **Solution-Finding** - the [[convergent thinking]] phase where ideas are tested and evaluated toward a final appropriate solution. This is a more analytical process. 6. **Action-Finding** - developing a plan of action on how to implement the final solution. This is where the project is defined with job-roles and deadlines assigned. An additional final step of reflection is needed. It is critical to make an assessment of how well the solution fit the initial problem and how well the solution was implemented. I would call it **Analysis-Finding**. Learn more about CPS at [Ness Labs](https://nesslabs.com/creative-problem-solving) and [Project Bliss](https://projectbliss.net/osborn-parnes-creative-problem-solving-process/) and [Creative Education Foundation](https://www.creativeeducationfoundation.org/what-is-cps/). --- tags: #creativity #process #framework home: [[creative process frameworks]]