Here's how you can infuse creative problem solving into your project planning as a project manager.

Activate your network. Create relationships with people outside your industry. These individuals are paradigm shifters who can lift you from where you are and set your sights on a different angle. Example: A semi truck hauled a load taller than a tunnel's opening It became stuck Engineers shared ideas on excavation and many were ready to run with this A child spoke "Try letting out the air in the tires" The child in this example is an unlikely source...just like how others in diverse industries are unlikely sources to you and your problems Grow a network that answers your calls build relationships, invest over time, carry each others questions in life, share thoughts Then you access a wealth of knowledge and together impact

As a project planner, infuse creative problem-solving by fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes creativity and a clear understanding of project terms and conditions. - One thing I’ve found helpful: Encouraging brainstorming sessions where team members freely share ideas fosters a collaborative and creative atmosphere. - What I disagree with: Rigidly adhering to traditional methods without room for innovation can stifle creativity and hinder project progress. - A practical example: In a software development project, we held weekly innovation meetings where team members proposed creative solutions to challenges. This led to the discovery of a more efficient algorithm, which improved the project timeline and performance.

Each team member's unique background and perspective can lead to a wide range of innovative ideas and solutions. By fostering an inclusive environment you enhance team morale and uncover groundbreaking solutions that might otherwise be missed.

Leadership is found in someone who can promote change Change often means redirecting norms Change leaders don't always have leadership titles What they do have is curiosity and the awareness of how to guide and invite the curiosity of others based on the questions they ask and the questions they receive Questioning norms builds momentum in a direction and takes thinking from a place of overthinking into actionable arenas of ownership So be prepared to own where your curiosity leads you and be prepared to lead others through the process of change Change management takes a focus of a company and lasso's everyone in to start heading a new direction Transitioning questioning from ideation and to pursuit with outcomes

Encourage your team to be curious and bold in suggesting changes, even if they deviate from traditional methods, as this will foster an environment where innovation thrives. Moreother, very often, digital transformation is inpossible without challenging the status quo.

I believe that following these steps, can help you to create an environment that encourages free expression and fosters innovation, allowing your team to generate a wealth of creative ideas without the fear of criticism. 1. Set Clear Objectives 2. Create a Safe Space 3. Implement Ground Rules 4. Utilize Brainstorming Techniques 5. Encourage Participation 6. Document Ideas 7. Foster a Positive Atmosphere 8. Follow Up

Reward ideas in the moment I personally value hearing once I've expressed an idea "oh tell me more about that...I like where you are heading" Because this not only encourages the idea generator to continue to increase their idea generation, it encourages others in the room that coming up with ideas is a positive and encouraged thing this positive feedback in essence creates trust in the room and camaraderie showing that we are stronger together when great ideas come forth, So encouraging leadership is key

As a project manager the main responsibility is to maintain the communication between team members. - ideation session or ?? brainstorming sessions are very important - make it a safe space - encourage out of box ideas ?? - set the pace by sharing previous experiences.

Products can be designed to spec and boxes can be checked yet if the customer in the end is not using it, it's value decreases to a paperweight Spend time and prototyping, considering the end user Spend time with your team exploring this and user Bring in a panel of ideal customers to ask questions and refine the product In the pretotyping stage Then prototyping will be more successful and more easily adopted by end users

Even if you can not develop real prototype, you can offer to your client so called pilot project. Implementing a pilot project is a valuable strategy because it allows organizations to test and refine new initiatives on a small scale before committing significant resources. By identifying potential issues and gathering feedback during the pilot phase, companies can make informed adjustments that enhance the likelihood of success in full-scale implementation. Additionally, a successful pilot can generate buy-in from stakeholders by demonstrating tangible benefits and proving the feasibility of the project.

Recognize that Not only who you pose the problem to but how you ask for ideas will generate new solutions People are incredible resources with unique strengths Obverse who's around you and who you need to be around to help address problems Become a problem solver by freely sharing ideas and solutions You'll attract others like you willing to help you ideate ??

Infusing Creative Problem-Solving into Project Planning:- Promote open communication to encourage diverse ideas. Assemble diverse teams for varied perspectives. Set clear, flexible objectives to guide creative problem-solving. Utilize mind maps and scenario planning tools. Conduct regular workshops on creative thinking and problem-solving methods. Develop and test prototypes to refine ideas iteratively Apply innovative strategies in risk management. Recognize and reward creative contributions. Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to foster broader solutions. Finally, conduct post-project reviews for continuous improvement. Integrating these strategies embeds creativity in project planning, leading to innovative and effective outcomes.