Leadership & Management

Creative Thinking and Innovation Techniques

This course explores creative thinking and innovation techniques essential for problem-solving and idea generation in professional settings. Participants will engage in practical exercises to enhance their creative capabilities, fostering an innovative mindset applicable to real-world challenges.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

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Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Creative thinking is crucial for professionals facing complex problems that require innovative solutions. Many organisations struggle to cultivate a culture of creativity, leading to stagnation and missed opportunities. This course addresses these challenges by equipping participants with tools and techniques to enhance their creative thinking skills. Participants will learn to identify and analyse workplace challenges, generate viable solutions, and implement innovative strategies that can lead to improved processes and products. By developing these skills, they will be better positioned to drive organisational success and adapt to changing market demands.

Participants will practice techniques such as brainstorming, mind mapping, and design thinking to generate and refine ideas. By engaging in collaborative exercises, they will learn to overcome mental blocks and foster an environment conducive to innovation. The skills developed will empower them to tackle workplace challenges creatively, enabling them to contribute effectively to their teams and organisations. Furthermore, participants will gain the confidence to present and advocate for their ideas, ensuring that their contributions are recognised and valued in their professional environments. This course ultimately prepares them to lead innovation initiatives and inspire others.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

The course employs a blend of interactive workshops, group discussions, and hands-on exercises to cultivate creative thinking. Participants will engage in brainstorming sessions, use mind mapping tools, and apply design thinking methodologies to real-world scenarios. Each session culminates in the creation of tangible outputs, such as innovation proposals and project plans, which participants can implement in their workplaces. The use of case studies and role-playing will further enhance understanding, allowing participants to see the practical application of techniques in various contexts. This approach ensures that learning is both theoretical and practical, fostering a deeper understanding of creative processes and their applications in diverse professional settings.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Analyse creative thinking barriers and identify strategies to overcome them.
Design a mind map to visually organise ideas for a specific project.
Evaluate the effectiveness of different brainstorming techniques in generating innovative solutions.
Construct a prototype using design thinking principles to address a workplace challenge.
Prioritise ideas based on feasibility and impact for implementation in an organisational context.
Justify the selection of innovation techniques tailored to specific problem scenarios.

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

Product Managers seeking to enhance their team's creativity.
Marketing Professionals aiming to develop innovative campaigns.
Project Leaders responsible for driving change and innovation.
Team Leaders focused on fostering a culture of creativity within their teams.

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Facilitating brainstorming sessions to generate innovative ideas.
Utilising mind mapping techniques for effective idea organisation.
Applying design thinking methodologies to solve complex problems.
Evaluating and prioritising ideas based on strategic relevance.
Creating prototypes to test and refine innovative concepts.
Overcoming mental blocks to enhance creative output.

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Understanding Creative Thinking

Applied activity: Participants will identify personal barriers to creativity and discuss strategies to overcome them in small groups, focusing on specific workplace scenarios and challenges. Each group will present their findings and proposed solutions to the class, promoting collaborative learning.

Output: A personal action plan outlining strategies to enhance individual creative thinking and overcome identified barriers.

09:00–09:54Defining creative thinking and its importance in the workplace.
09:54–10:48Identifying barriers to creativity and innovation in teams.
10:48–11:00Exploring different types of creative thinking processes and their applications.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Exploring different types of creative thinking processes and their applications. (continued)
12:12–13:06Understanding the role of mindset in fostering creativity and innovation.
13:06–14:00Examining case studies of successful creative initiatives in various industries.

Day 2Techniques for Idea Generation

Applied activity: In groups, participants will conduct a brainstorming session using the SCAMPER method to improve an existing product or service. They will document their ideas and processes, preparing to share their insights with the larger group for feedback.

Output: A list of refined ideas generated from the brainstorming session, including potential next steps for implementation.

09:00–09:54Introduction to brainstorming techniques and best practices for effective sessions.
09:54–10:48Exploring the SCAMPER method for idea enhancement and innovation.
10:48–11:00Utilising mind mapping for visual idea organisation and clarity.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Utilising mind mapping for visual idea organisation and clarity. (continued)
12:12–13:06Engaging in role-playing exercises to stimulate creative thinking and collaboration.
13:06–14:00Implementing lateral thinking exercises to break conventional thought patterns and generate unique ideas.

Day 3Applying Design Thinking

Applied activity: Participants will work in teams to define a user problem and develop a prototype solution using design thinking principles. They will incorporate user feedback into their design, iterating on their ideas based on real-world insights gathered during the process.

Output: A prototype and presentation detailing the proposed solution, including insights gained from user feedback.

09:00–09:54Understanding the design thinking process and its stages in innovation.
09:54–10:48Empathising with users to identify real needs and challenges in product development.
10:48–11:00Defining problems clearly to guide creative solutions and ideation.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Defining problems clearly to guide creative solutions and ideation. (continued)
12:12–13:06Ideating potential solutions through collaborative workshops and feedback sessions.
13:06–14:00Prototyping concepts for user feedback and iteration, focusing on practical applications.

Day 4Evaluating and Prioritising Ideas

Applied activity: Participants will evaluate and prioritise their generated ideas using a SWOT analysis. They will present their findings to the group, discussing potential challenges and opportunities for each idea, fostering a collaborative evaluation process.

Output: A prioritised list of ideas with justification for selection and a brief action plan for implementation.

09:00–09:54Criteria for evaluating the feasibility of innovative ideas and solutions.
09:54–10:48Techniques for prioritising ideas based on impact and effort for implementation.
10:48–11:00Utilising SWOT analysis to assess potential solutions and their viability.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Utilising SWOT analysis to assess potential solutions and their viability. (continued)
12:12–13:06Creating an innovation roadmap for implementation and tracking progress.
13:06–14:00Engaging stakeholders in the evaluation process to ensure alignment and support.

Day 5Integrating Innovation into Practice

Applied activity: In teams, participants will develop a comprehensive innovation plan that integrates their ideas and strategies for fostering creativity within their organisation. They will include metrics for success and methods for sustaining innovation over time, preparing to present their plan to stakeholders.

Output: A detailed innovation plan ready for presentation to stakeholders, outlining key initiatives and expected outcomes.

09:00–09:54Creating a culture of innovation within teams and organisations.
09:54–10:48Developing strategies for continuous creative improvement and idea generation.
10:48–11:00Implementing feedback loops for ongoing innovation and refinement of ideas.
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–12:12Implementing feedback loops for ongoing innovation and refinement of ideas. (continued)
12:12–13:06Measuring the impact of innovation initiatives on organisational performance.
13:06–14:00Planning for the future: sustaining creative momentum and fostering an innovative mindset.

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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