How can you measure your analytical reasoning skills for creative problem solving?

Standardised tests like the GMAT, LSAT, GRE, or IQ can be used to measure analytical thinking skills that are needed to solve creative problems. These tests look at your ability to think logically, solve problems, and make decisions. They aren't meant to test your ability to think creatively or make decisions, and they might not measure all of your skills, such as imagination, intuition, or emotional intelligence.

Creativity is studied in a more empirical and science based way these days, which is great for us number nerds. Prof. Therese Amabile is one of the leading scientists on the topic, hailing from Harvard Business School. At least one startup is working on specifically measuring different types of creativity, Yellow Method in Finland and I’m sure others exist as well. Creativity is interesting to measure since it’s not only the ability that matters, but whether people have obstacles stopping them from reaching their creative potential.

While tests can provide a quantitative measure, they might not fully capture one's analytical reasoning skills. Real-world challenges and experiences often provide a more accurate representation of these skills, as they involve complexities and nuances that tests may not include.

I devised a practical test during a project focused on optimizing production workflows. The test involved breaking down a complex manufacturing challenge into sequential steps, identifying potential bottlenecks, and proposing solutions. Team members were assessed not only on their solution proposals but also on the clarity of their analytical reasoning process. This approach not only gauged individuals' problem-solving abilities but also fostered a culture of systematic thinking within the team. Analytical reasoning, in this context, became a measurable skill through both the process and the proposed solutions, ensuring a holistic evaluation of the team's capabilities in navigating complex challenges in kitchen cabinet design.

To measure your analytical reasoning skills for creative problem solving, you can consider the following approaches: 1. Problem-solving exercises: Engage in various problem-solving exercises or puzzles that require you to think critically and come up with creative solutions. These exercises can be found in books, online platforms, or even as part of job interview processes. 2. Case studies: Analyze real-life or hypothetical case studies that require you to identify the core issues, analyze data, and propose innovative solutions. This can help you assess your ability to apply analytical reasoning in a creative way.

During a project aimed at optimizing assembly processes, I devised intricate puzzles mimicking real-world manufacturing challenges. Team members were tasked with breaking down the puzzle, identifying interrelated components and proposing efficient solutions. This hands-on approach not only measured individuals' ability to solve complex problems but also assessed their analytical reasoning process. It provided insights into how well team members could dissect multifaceted issues and derive innovative yet practical solutions, a skill crucial in the intricate landscape of kitchen cabinet design. My expertise lies not just in solving puzzles but in utilizing them as dynamic tools to quantify and enhance analytical reasoning skills

Puzzles are a great way to keep your mind in practice for CPS, if you keep solving the puzzles and riddles for some time, it becomes your second nature to approach real life problems in that way. Then it's far easier for your mind to think of alternative methods to solve it and come up with a solution that maybe most effective for your particular problem.

Reflect on your process utilising notebooks, mind maps, or flowcharts to assess analytical reasoning for creative issue solving. Ask yourself about problem definition, assumptions, information collecting, alternatives, and evaluation. This can reveal critical thinking, creativity, and strategy skills and shortcomings. It can show problem-solving patterns and preferences. Feedback, new strategies, and problem-solving challenges improve analytical reasoning.

For instance, after streamlining a cabinet production line, I conducted a post-implementation review. This reflective analysis involved scrutinizing the initial problem statement, the devised solution and the actual outcomes. I critically evaluated each step, considering alternative approaches and assessing the effectiveness of my analytical reasoning. This practice not only quantified the success of the implemented solution but also provided valuable insights for refining future analytical approaches. By consistently integrating reflective practices into my problem-solving methodology, I ensure a continuous enhancement of analytical reasoning skills, a crucial facet of navigating the complexities inherent in the design and manufacturing.

In my experience, looking back over the Miro mind maps and concept maps I had created are a clear indicator of how my analytical reasoning has evolved. It all comes down to how well and in-detail can you break down your large, complex problems into smaller, bite-sized achievable tasks and how you strategize to solve multiple problems with one solution. My mind maps have evolved from being very scrappy and broad to now being detailed, taking into account all possible risks. This was rooted in simply the more I practiced, the more I improved my process thinking. Feedback from my Senior Leadership teams significantly helped as well.

1. Practice divergent thinking: Engage in activities that promote divergent thinking, such as brainstorming sessions or idea generation exercises. This will test your ability to generate multiple solutions and think beyond conventional approaches. 2. Feedback and reflection: Seek feedback from others who are skilled in analytical reasoning and creative problem solving. They can provide insights into your strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, reflect on your own problem-solving experiences to identify patterns and areas where you can enhance your skills.

Online assessments: There are various online platforms that offer assessments specifically designed to measure analytical reasoning skills. These assessments often include questions or scenarios that require you to think critically and creatively to solve problems. Remember, measuring analytical reasoning skills for creative problem solving is not about finding a single right answer, but rather assessing your ability to think analytically and generate innovative solutions.

During a project aiming to reduce material waste in cabinet production, I utilized a comprehensive framework involving problem identification, data gathering, analysis, solution generation, and implementation. Each phase had clearly defined steps, ensuring a systematic and analytical approach. The framework facilitated the measurement of my skills at every stage, the precision in problem articulation, the depth of data analysis and the effectiveness of the implemented solution. This structured methodology not only provided a quantifiable means of assessing analytical reasoning but also served as a repeatable and adaptable approach for diverse challenges in the intricate landscape of kitchen cabinet design.

The problems you have solved previously may or may not be in right direction for everyone. By gathering feedback and trying to understand what your audience thinks of your solutions, you can apply the learning from feedback to course correct your brainstorming for the next problem. It ensures you're heading towards a solution most people need and hence greatly increase your odds of success!

I am a strong advocate of seeking and actioning feedback as it demonstrates your growth-mindset, empathy towards your leaders and customers, while also making your stakeholders feel important as they contribute their ideas and potentially get to own them. My success has been rooted in my willingness to seek feedback whether it be process recommendations, structural feedback, or simply a quality check. Leaders and stakeholders like being involved - you'll be surprised how much this helps in creating a strong working relationship.

Play video games. Seriously. And I don’t mean educational games, although they can be pretty good for the measurement part. I don’t mean Shoot’em up games either. They are not useless but they don’t add much to analytical skills. But adventure games and strategy games can be great for gauging and enhancing your skills. The Tower Defence game type is actually used in the recruitment process of large consultancy firms. I hear a lot of relieved sighs. No, video games are not a total waste of time!

Be prepared for the worst-case scenario! It helped me a lot to build my reasonings considering the worst outcome, by doing so I was able to create a better roadmap for each and every possible case. There you can start to be sure that you have all the necessary acton plans ready for each situation.

Break down complex design challenges into smaller components. For example, when faced with a space optimization issue, analyze factors like user habits, available space and aesthetic preferences Identify recurring design patterns and trends. In kitchen cabinet design, recognizing popular materials, color schemes or storage solutions showcases analytical skills Use data to inform decisions. Analyze market trends, user feedback, and manufacturing constraints. For instance, integrating customer feedback on cabinet functionality into the design process demonstrates data-driven decision-making. Develop prototypes and systematically test variations. Analyze user feedback to iterate on designs, showcasing an analytical approach to problem-solving

I’d say you can measure it by number of problems you solved creatively :) The planning never works perfectly if there are other people involved. So creativity in solving problems is more like being flexible and adaptive to the fast changing environment.

I totally agree with this. To check the creative thinking, some game strategies are more important to see the thinking and path they choose. You'll see the leader, consistently and strategy of people in the game. And believe it or not, you'll see the one man show in the game. It becomes a warning sign for you, if one man shows a person come to your team.