Creative Problem Solving (CPS) is a structured methodology used to generate, evaluate, and develop solutions to complex operational problems. Digital Efficiency Consulting Group uses CPS after workflow friction has been identified and classified during the diagnostic process.
Many organizations attempt to solve operational problems too quickly. When a process becomes slow or chaotic, leaders often respond by adding tools, policies, oversight, or staffing before the real problem has been fully understood. CPS prevents that type of reactive decision-making by introducing a disciplined way to explore improvement options.
The Creative Problem Solving model was originally developed in the field of innovation research and has been refined over decades to help teams approach complex challenges systematically. Instead of jumping to the first available solution, CPS encourages teams to clarify the problem, explore multiple possibilities, and then develop the strongest option.
Within the DECG process, CPS is used after the FLOW framework has identified where workflow friction occurs and the WF5 model has classified the type of operational drag causing the issue. At that point, the problem is clearly understood, which allows CPS to focus on generating meaningful improvements rather than guesses.
This approach produces stronger results because solutions are tied directly to verified workflow problems. Instead of applying generic efficiency advice, CPS allows improvements to be designed around the specific operational environment, systems, and team structure inside the organization.
The output of this stage becomes a set of improvement options that can be prioritized and organized into the final Efficiency Blueprint.
