Divergent and Convergent Thinking
Both divergent and convergent thinking are essential in the problem solving process.
For those who are unfamiliar with divergent and convergent thinking, these terms mean the following:
What is Divergent thinking?
Divergent Thinking is generating a multitude of ideas by exploring different possible solutions.
What is Convergent thinking?
Convergent Thinking is evaluating ideas to narrow it down to one specific idea.
How Divergent and Convergent Thinking Work Together
When problem solving using CPS you need to undergo, divergent and convergent thinking, but NEVER attempt to do both at the same time. Here’s why:
- When it comes to ideation quantity lends itself to quality. When in the divergent stage throw as many ideas out there, no matter how how crazy they are. It’s so much easier to make a wild idea safer than make a boring idea more exciting.
- Doing convergent thinking when in the divergent stage will result in people’s ideas being shut down and the creative process being compromised.
- Once you have a range of ideas put forward, you need to assess them and select one to move forward on. If you stay in the ideation phase your problem won’t be solved.
How to Enter Into A Divergent and Convergent Thinking Phase
Here are some talking points and guidelines to help you enter into these phases:
Diverge Talking Points
- The purpose is to deliberately go beyond the status quo
Divergent Guidelines
- Defer Judgment
- Go for quantity
- Seek wild Ideas
- Build on ideas (try combining them together)
Converge Talking Points
- Stress that continuing to seek novelty during convergence is important
- Review the problem statement as this is a way of checking objectives
- After a converging action, a new affirmative view of the challenge should surface
Convergent Guidelines
- Be Deliberate
- Check Your Objectives
- Improve Your Ideas
- Be Affirmative
- Consider Novelty
Once you learn to instigate the two different phases of the creative thinking and creative problem solving, and once you learn to navigate between them, you will be able to shift into a problem solving mindset much more smoothly and using a clear methodology.
For the quickest possible overview of the use of Divergent and Convergent thinking in a truncated problem solving process, learn how to solve any problem in 6 minutes using our printable quick guide.
