Harvard ManageMentor STRATEGIC THINKING TOOLS

Worksheet for Thinking Creatively

Use this tool to strengthen your creative thinking abilityan important component of strategic thinking. 1. Think of a problem youre trying to solve or a course of action youre considering. Write it below. For example,
perhaps you want to find ways to generate ideas for improving faulty customer service.

2. What assumptions do you and your group hold regarding the issue at hand? Do you assume, for instance, that
customers must receive their orders within two days or theyll defect to a competitor?

3. What questions might you ask to challenge these assumptions? Could you ask, Why do we believe this about our
customers? What if we delivered orders in three or four days?

4. How might you stimulate creative brainstorming of ideas within your group? Consider challenging yourself and
your employees to dream up the most preposterous ideas possiblewithout judging one anothers ideas.

5. In your view and in the opinion of your direct reports, what would resolution of your issue look like in an ideal
world? For instance, perhaps in your vision of a perfect world, customers would care only about how easy it is to open your products packaging and use the contentsnot about when they take delivery of the order.

6. How might you gather the broadest possible perspective on your issue? Could you assemble a one-time crossfunctional team comprising managers from other units who can offer ideas for addressing your issue? Are there individuals outside your organizationcustomers or supplierswho could provide additional valuable ideas?

7. What steps could you take to create a playful mood in which you and your group can stimulate your creative
thinking? Would toys, food, or improvisational exercises help loosen everyone up?

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