Creativity & Expression · Topic

Creative Problem Solving

Combine reframing, constraints, analogy, and experimentation to solve problems differently.

• Use AI to Widen the Idea Set Before You ChooseWhen you are stuck on the first obvious idea, use AI to generate alternatives across different assumptions or constraints. Experimental evidence suggests generative AI can raise ju
• Explain One Idea with an Analogy and Its LimitCompare an unfamiliar idea with something familiar, state the matching point, name where the comparison stops and ask the listener to restate the idea.
• Translate a Problem into a Nature-Inspired Design PrincipleDescribe the function a solution must perform, inspect a biological example, extract a transferable principle and test one safe application without copying the organism literally.
• Use an Extreme Seed, Then Return to RealityStart an idea session with a deliberately unrealistic seed, explore its consequences without defending it and then translate useful fragments back into real constraints.
• Decompose a Hard Problem with TRIZ-Inspired ContradictionsDescribe the unwanted result, expose the trade-off or contradiction, split the system into parts, and check a change that removes a constraint instead of merely optimizing around i
• Recycle or Repurpose Resources to Save Time and EnergyRecycle or repurpose resources to save time and energy. For instance, reuse parts of previous projects to build new ones.
• Reverse Your Typical Approach to Find New SolutionsReverse your typical approach to find new solutions. If you usually react impulsively, try pausing before you respond.
• Use Standard Triz Contradiction Templates Like 'technical Contradiction' and 'physical ContradictionUse standard TRIZ contradiction templates like 'Technical Contradiction' and 'Physical Contradiction.' For example, 'Technical Contradiction: Increasing speed improves productivity