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Problem solving skills

Brainstorming

Brainstorming makes the most of working in groups, whether you are dealing with a problem, planning an event or working on a project. It is a technique that is commonly used in both academic and professional settings.

Brainstorming can be a powerful tool for developing your creativity if you do it properly. 

Either by yourself or in a group:

  • Pose the issue, opportunity or problem
  • Suspend your judgment (anything goes – don’t censor or comment on ideas)
  • Write down any ideas as they come to you or as the group calls them out
  • Then write down related ideas

The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible in a relatively short time. 

After you have all the ideas down on paper, focus on finessing them – prioritise the ideas in order to arrive at the best possible choices, options or solutions.

Other problem solving techniques

Learning Portfolio

Complete exercise 5 in your Learning Portfolio.