CPI Creative Thinking & Problem Solving 3

Question 1

In creative problem solving, what is the primary goal of the 'incubation' stage?

Accepted Answer

To allow the subconscious to process a problem away from focused effort

Answer

Incubation lets the unconscious mind make novel connections while conscious attention is directed elsewhere.

Question 2

Which divergent thinking metric measures the variety of distinct categories that generated ideas span?

Accepted Answer

Flexibility

Answer

Flexibility counts how many different conceptual categories ideas represent, not just the total number of ideas.

Question 3

A facilitator asks participants to silently write ideas, pass their paper to the next person for additions, and repeat. This structured ideation method is called:

Accepted Answer

Brainwriting 6-3-5

Answer

Brainwriting 6-3-5 has 6 participants write 3 ideas in 5 minutes, then rotate sheets to build on others' ideas silently.

Question 4

Which problem-solving framework explicitly separates 'problem finding' from 'idea finding' and 'solution finding'?

Accepted Answer

Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model

Answer

The CPS model by Osborn and Parnes divides creative work into distinct stages including problem definition, idea generation, and solution development.

Question 5

When using the 'Five Whys' technique, what signals that you have found a root cause?

Accepted Answer

When asking 'why' again yields a process or systemic factor with no further actionable cause

Answer

Root cause is reached when the chain of whys uncovers a systemic issue where further questioning produces no actionable insight.

(CPI) Certified Professional Innovator Practice Test

(CPI) Certified Professional Innovator Practice Test

CPI Creative Thinking & Problem Solving 3