One of the basic responsibilities of managers is problem solving. Yet, managers do not always choose the right problem solving approach.

Discuss important differences between analytical approaches to problem solving and creative approaches to problem solving.


a) First, explain the difference between the first step (defining the problem) of the analytical problem solving approach and the first step (preparation) of the creative problem solving approach.

b) Next, provide a specific example of how commitment to an existing perspective on a problem can serve as a conceptual block to creative problem solving in an organization.

c) Finally, describe how a manager can help a work team to overcome the conceptual block of commitment (as identified in your prior example).