How do you use Creative Problem Solving to define a project?

1 Why define a project?

Defining a project means clarifying the purpose, scope, goals, and deliverables of your project. It also means identifying the stakeholders, resources, constraints, and risks involved. Defining a project helps you to align your expectations, communicate your vision, and plan your actions. Without a clear definition, you may face confusion, conflict, or failure in your project.

2 How to use CPS to define a project?

CPS consists of four main stages: clarify, ideate, develop, and implement. To define a project, you need to focus on the first stage: clarify. This stage requires understanding the problem or opportunity that your project addresses, framing it in a concise way, and collecting relevant information and feedback. You can use the following steps to apply CPS to define a project: explore the situation by using various methods such as observation, research, interviews, surveys, or brainstorming; identify the problem by using tools such as problem statements, question formulation, or root cause analysis; and establish the criteria with techniques like SMART goals, SWOT analysis, or stakeholder mapping. These criteria include the scope, objectives, deliverables, resources, constraints, and risks of your project. Be curious, open-minded and empathetic when exploring; be specific, relevant and challenging when identifying; and be realistic, measurable and aligned when establishing.

4 What are the challenges of using CPS to define a project?

Using CPS to define a project can also present some challenges, such as dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty, managing time and resources, and handling resistance and conflict. For instance, there may be no clear or definitive answer, or the information may be incomplete or contradictory. Additionally, you may spend more time and resources on the definition of your project than on its execution, leading to trade-offs between quality and speed or creativity and feasibility. Furthermore, you may encounter resistance or conflict from stakeholders, team members, or customers with different opinions, expectations, or interests. All of these issues can impact your efficiency, productivity, and relationships.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?