Creative Problem Solving in Project Management

Constraints don’t kill creativity ❌, they channel it 💡 Many believe that creativity needs boundless freedom to flourish. However, my experience and numerous business success stories tell a different tale—constraints can indeed fuel creativity. Let’s debunk the myth that constraints stifle innovation and explore how they can actually focus and enhance creative efforts. Constraints challenge you as a PM to narrow down what the problem really is and challenges the team to work collaboratively to find a solution. A lot of the times in order to deliver the impact, you need to work cross-functionally, you need to break down the solution into small pieces and look at outside the box approaches. One example that stands out for me was working in Skyscanner during Covid and my team had 6 weeks to turnaround integrating with a data provider for populating the travel map 🗺️ We had a time constraint, a supplier constraint, data restrictions and non-negotiables alongside a lot of unknowns. That pushes us to work really closely together and challenge each other’s thinking for a solution that was the least amount of effort and highest value. We found a way to structure the data to show travel restrictions but we soon realised that is not helpful unless you can filter the restrictions based on the county you are travelling from and the restrictions kept changing on daily basis. But we got it done with a mix of automation and a few manual processes. It was launched to help travellers make informed decisions and to help us learn about what our users most cared about. That was a fun piece of work and the constraints allowed us to be focus in our solution. And for a PM, this is where PRDs are so useful - they help you define the problem, the measures of success but also the constraints, the dependencies, the limitations and the non-negotiable for every piece of work. Let's start celebrating constraints as catalysts for creativity. What constraints have you found surprisingly helpful in your creative process? #ProductManagement #Creativity #Innovation #BusinessStrategy

“What’s the last slide in the deck?” When I ask people this question, I tend to get the confused Scooby Doo “Aur?”. After helping hundreds of teams solve complex problems, I've learned that starting at the end is one piece of what I call the PTSD framework. (And, yes, the acronym is intentionally meant to be thought-provoking and memorable.) BACKGROUND: Most people jump straight down the rabbit hole—they immediately start creating an action plan and then get to work on it. Or, even worse, they schedule a slate of meetings about the problem. But there's a better way. Here's how my PTSD framework creates clarity from chaos: 1. Processes Your goals should be top of mind. What does the end state look like? I learned this from Amazon's "work backwards" approach—they actually write the press release first. Same with presentations: I ask my teams to write the last slide before anything else. This one shift can cut your solution time in half. 2. Tools Your process is only as good as your tools. But here's the counterintuitive part: The best tool isn't always the most advanced. Sometimes you only need a tool that solves 80% of the problem, but does it in 10% of the time. Don’t waste months of time on complex project management software, when all you might need is a simple tracker with shared ownership. 3. Systems Individual solutions create temporary fixes. Systems create permanent results. You need to build a "problem pattern library" where you document every solution framework. Now, 70% of new problems match existing patterns, cutting resolution time by 3x. 4. Deliverables This is where most teams start—but it should be where you end. Once you have P, T, and S figured out, the deliverables create themselves. You should spend 80% of your time on the first three steps and 20% on execution. —— TAKEAWAY: The best solutions don't start with the answer—they start with the framework. Next time someone brings you a problem, don't jump to solutions. Give them PTSD instead. #Leadership #ProductivityHacks #ProblemSolving #BusinessStrategy

I'd like to share with you a powerful method that's been instrumental in our journey towards making more nuanced and balanced decisions. The Six Hat Solution, developed by Edward de Bono, is a powerful tool for teams and leaders. It's designed to help people explore different perspectives towards a complex situation or challenge, making our decision-making process more structured and comprehensive. 1. Emotional Viewpoint: Reflecting on our emotions offers initial insights. How does this situation make us feel? Personally, the prospect of our upcoming project invokes a mix of excitement and apprehension. Acknowledging our feelings can highlight potential concerns or areas of strong motivation. 2. Factual Analysis: Grounding our discussion in facts ensures a solid foundation. What are the undeniable truths of our current situation? With our project, the realities include our deadlines, budget constraints, and the resources at our disposal. These facts help clarify the scope of our challenge. 3. Optimistic Outlook: Focusing on the positives, we identify which aspects are most likely to succeed. In our scenario, the creativity and resilience of our team stand out as invaluable assets. This positivity is crucial for maintaining momentum. 4. Critical Perspective: Conversely, acknowledging what might not work allows us to anticipate and address potential issues. For us, the constraints of time and the untested nature of some technologies are concerns that need strategic planning. 5. Creative Exploration: By thinking creatively, we open the door to innovative solutions. Could adjusting our approach or incorporating new methodologies enhance our outcome? This phase pushes us beyond our initial assumptions. 6. Synthesised Solution: Finally, integrating all perspectives, we determine the most viable path forward. A phased project implementation, leveraging both proven and new technologies in stages, appears to be our best strategy. What complex decisions are you facing that could benefit from this multi-perspective approach? #leadership #mindset #culture #growth #success #problemsolving

The Secret Weapon of Growth? A System for Creative Breakthroughs. Recently, I led a workshop for a powerhouse collective of women leaders on applying Creative Problem Solving to illuminate old challenges. We didn’t just chase ideas—we built a repeatable muscle for clarity and momentum. Here are 3 takeaways: 🔍 1. Frame It Before You Fix It You’ve heard the quote "A Problem Well Stated is Half Solved." Most teams rush to address symptoms. We slow down and stretch the problem definition itself. Ask: Why is this an issue? What is the fundamental barrier? Reframing unlocks a new universe of possibilities. 💡 2. Split Your Thinking to Sharpen Your Impact Your brain thrives in two modes: Divergence (wild ideas) and Convergence (focused decisions). Mixing them muddies both. Generate without judgment, then judge without generating. That separation fuels breakthroughs. 🚀 3. Make Discomfort a Habit New ideas feel risky—your brain prefers the familiar, even when it’s failing. Bravery isn’t a feeling; it’s a practice. Lean into the butterflies. Build routines that stretch your comfort zone and spark creative leaps. Here’s what Amy L. Halford, Chief Growth Officer of Thrive Petcare had to say: "I was stuck on a complex challenge, and Joan’s session completely changed the way I approached it. Her process helped me think differently, get unstuck, and uncover new perspectives that became the springboard for my team’s next phase of work." 👉 DM me or reach out to joan@thecreativeconservancy.com to discuss customizing this session for your biggest Q4 challenge. 

Three simple words can unlock a world of possibilities when you or your team get stuck on solving a problem: “How might we” I’ve found this to be a great tool when leading team meetings or solving stuck points with founders. Framing the conversation around questions like this can unlock creative solutions when no “obvious” solutions exist. Here’s why this works: 1. “How” signals we’re in exploration mode. It reinforces that we don’t have all the answers yet, encouraging multiple, innovative approaches. 2. “Might” suggests flexibility, that there are many paths to explore without committing to one fixed solution. 3. “We” brings in the collective mind. It shifts from individual problem-solving to the inclusive, shared responsibility of the group mind. Start with these simple swaps: “What should I do?” → “How might we…?” “I have no idea.” → “How might we…?” “I’m not sure how to get past this.” → “How might we…?” And some helpful guard rails: - Keep your HMW questions specific to the problem. - Stay broad enough to inspire multiple ideas. - Keep it positive to spark more possibilities. As a leader, I've found that using inclusive, positive language in business discussions where we need to get through a block can help liberate team creativity. Tough love can also help. Making a conscious effort to modulate your language in this way can help move your team past creative impasses and build more positive workspaces.

"I saved my project from failure without needing additional resources." Many project managers believe that overcoming challenges always requires more time, budget, or manpower. But here’s the thing: Effective project recovery starts with strategic problem-solving, not just adding resources. So, how do you tackle challenges without overspending? 🔸Assess the root cause: Avoid treating symptoms and identify what’s holding your project back. 🔸Prioritize quick wins: Focus on small changes with significant impact. 🔸Communicate transparently: Rally your team with clarity and confidence. Your project doesn’t need endless resources to succeed. It needs a sharper approach. How do you solve big problems with limited tools? Let us know in the comments! #44RiskPM #TheRiskBlog #ProjectManagement #ProjectRiskManagement #ProjectLeadership #RootCauseAnalysis #PrioritizeWins #Communication

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺-𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝘅 🔧 We’ve all sat through those endless meetings. The ones where "solutions" create more problems than they solve. After 20 years in consulting, I’ll let you in on a secret 👇 Most teams don’t solve problems. They debate symptoms. 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘄𝗲𝘆’𝘀 𝟳-𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 isn’t just philosophy, it’s battlefield medicine for business. Here’s why it works when others fail: 1️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 Most teams skip this to sound "action-oriented"... Big mistake. 📌 Pro tip: Try the "5 Whys" before moving forward. 2️⃣ 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀 We confuse data with insight. Real analysis answers one question, "What’s really stopping us?" 3️⃣ 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 This separates professionals from amateurs. No guardrails? Prepare for shiny object syndrome. 4️⃣ 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 The step everyone loves... and gets wrong. Rule: No idea is stupid, but every idea must be stress-tested. 5️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 Where ego kills more solutions than facts do. The antidote?... "What would we advise our client to do?" 6️⃣ 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 The graveyard of good intentions. Secret weapon? Pilot everything. 7️⃣ 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄-𝘂𝗽 The step 83% of teams skip (Harvard study). Because admitting "We were wrong" feels like failure. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: 🔴 Your last "solution" probably created 3 new problems 🟢 The best teams solve fewer problems, but solve them completely We train teams to spot the difference between a problem worth solving and a symptom masquerading as the real issue The results speak for themselves: ✅ 40% faster decision cycles ✅ 70% fewer "solution rollbacks" ✅ 3x more stakeholder alignment So I’ll ask what no one does... What’s one "solution" your team implemented that actually made things worse? 💡