Group CIPD work NOTES
As this project is an improvement exercise the author believes that the need for creative thinking is required throughout the development stage of the assignment in order to generate new ideas to help aid problem solving and to seek solution. For creativity to exist amongst the team it is important that the team fully understood the reasoning behind the project. Therefore the Project Team leader initially adopted concepts to aid creativity through both the Holistic and Systems Thinking Theory.
The Holistic Thinking theory in this particular project was adopted by setting out a step by step plan in order to generate ideas which are related to each development stage of the project. This allows the team to focus on one section of the plan at a time and therefore reduces the risk of losing great ideas and keeps the generation of ideas controlled. “Holistic is described as looking at the components that make up the whole.” Sherwood (2002). Whereas the System Thinking concept was adopted by clearly debriefing the team members of the ultimate aim of the project prior to the plan being devised, in order to ensure each stage of the plan contributed successfully to the overall aim of the project. This allows the team to see how their ideas fit with the overall plan. “Systems thinking are often focused on problem solving through understanding elements of the system and their interconnections.” CHECKLAND, P. (1999)
Most of the techniques that are used in our creative process are adopted by both these theories. Therefore at each stage of the project the Team Leader encouraged brainstorming and mind mapping sessions in order for the team to generate new ideas which ultimately contributed successfully to the project. This approach is also supported by PMBOK. “A few creative group techniques allow a project manager to get the most out of a requirements workshop. They include mind mapping, brainstorming, affinity diagram, nominal group technique and Delphi technique.” (A
The Holistic Thinking theory in this particular project was adopted by setting out a step by step plan in order to generate ideas which are related to each development stage of the project. This allows the team to focus on one section of the plan at a time and therefore reduces the risk of losing great ideas and keeps the generation of ideas controlled. “Holistic is described as looking at the components that make up the whole.” Sherwood (2002). Whereas the System Thinking concept was adopted by clearly debriefing the team members of the ultimate aim of the project prior to the plan being devised, in order to ensure each stage of the plan contributed successfully to the overall aim of the project. This allows the team to see how their ideas fit with the overall plan. “Systems thinking are often focused on problem solving through understanding elements of the system and their interconnections.” CHECKLAND, P. (1999)
Most of the techniques that are used in our creative process are adopted by both these theories. Therefore at each stage of the project the Team Leader encouraged brainstorming and mind mapping sessions in order for the team to generate new ideas which ultimately contributed successfully to the project. This approach is also supported by PMBOK. “A few creative group techniques allow a project manager to get the most out of a requirements workshop. They include mind mapping, brainstorming, affinity diagram, nominal group technique and Delphi technique.” (A
References: • http://smallbusiness.chron.com/creative-thinking-workplace-17614.html About Creative Thinking at the Workplace by Melly Parker , Demand Media • http://www.marketingdonut.co.uk/marketing/marketing-strategy/marketing-management recruitment-and-training/ten-ways-to-encourage-creative-thinking • CHECKLAND, P. 1999. Systems Thinking. In: CURRIE, W. & GALLIERS, R. (eds.) Rethinking management information systems: an interdisciplinary perspective. Oxford University Press. • SHERWOOD, D. 2002. Seeing the forest for the trees: a manager’s guide to applying systems thinking, Nicholas Brealey.