Strategy

Innovation

Creative Problem-Solving Toolkit

Toolkit

Break the problem open.

A set of ideation tools to get past the obvious answer and generate original ideas on any challenge.

Format

Digital download, instant access

DESIGNED FOR

Teams and individuals stuck on a problem

Innovation · Toolkit
£ 95 

One-off. Choose the toolkit on its own, or add a coaching call with James.

Buy now

Yours to keep, organisation-wide

QUICK SUMMARY

In a nutshell.

INCLUDES
  • Reframing tools to see the problem differently
  • Fast idea-generation exercises for individuals and groups
  • Tools to combine and build on rough ideas
  • A prioritisation tool to choose what to pursue
  • Guidance on when to use each one
OUTCOMES
  • More original ideas and fewer dead ends
  • A problem reframed and opened up
  • A shortlist of ideas worth taking forward
DEEP DIVE

The process, step by step.

Each tool has a specific job and a specific place in the running order. Run them like this and the outcome takes care of itself.

CLICK EACH ITEM TO READ MORE
How Might We...?
Open-ended questions that unlock broad thinking.
30 minutes

Discussion

How Might We... is a way of starting a question to kick-start a discussion. The open-ended, optimistic phrasing is designed to encourage broad thinking. This technique was developed at P&G in the 1970s, and it has been used and promoted extensively by the design company IDEO.
Read more about this tool →
Idea Collisions
Smash ideas together to create original concepts.
30 minutes

Exercise

Take some existing ideas that you’ve come up with for a project, and see if you can join them together to make something unique and original. How could the aspects of one idea merge with or be added to the aspects of another idea?
Read more about this tool →
Half-Baked Ideas
Develop and share incomplete or rough ideas to refine and evolve them into fully formed concepts.
10 minutes

Canvas

Quickly develop a set of incomplete or rough ideas to later refine and evolve into fully formed concepts.
Read more about this tool →
Constraints
Tighten the limits to force better ideas.
30 minutes

Canvas

We could all use more budget and more time, right? Maybe not. Constraints are all around us, and they are often the source of the very best ideas. So, rather than seeking to remove constraints, try welcoming and embracing them.
Read more about this tool →
Details
Pay close attention to the small elements of a problem.
30 minutes

Canvas

By focusing in on specific elements we can pick apart a problem or highlight a feature. We can use what we find to highlight the strengths of an idea, or identify possible areas for future development.
Read more about this tool →
Alternate Uses
Loosen up divergent thinking with rapid ideas.
15 minutes

Exercise

The Alternate Uses Test asks us to think of as many uses as possible for a simple object, like a brick or a paperclip. The test is usually time-constrained. It measures divergent thinking, in that it is looking for as many ideas as possible.
Read more about this tool →
Problem Swap
Solve each other's problems for fresh perspective.
30 minutes

Exercise

Participants think of a current problem they are experiencing in their work. They then pair with another participant and swap problems. How would each solve the other’s problem?
Read more about this tool →
Solved!
Imagine a problem solved to reveal what is really blocking you.
30 minutes

Discussion

We ask participants to imagine they could solve a key business problem, just by clicking their fingers. What would they solve and what difference would it make? This can reveal perceived blocks to progress, and provokes fresh thinking.
Read more about this tool →
Big Idea
Detail all the different elements of your idea.
30 minutes

Canvas

Think about the project you’re working on. What’s a really big idea that could help you achieve your objectives? Use our worksheet to detail all the different elements of your idea.
Read more about this tool →
Easy High Impact
Map ideas by effort and impact to set priorities.
15 minutes

Exercise

Which of your ideas and projects should take priority? Which will offer the best return for the least resources? If some of your ideas look great but seem hard to achieve, can you simplify or streamline them so they take less resources or effort?
Read more about this tool →
DEEP DIVE

The agenda, step by step.

The session is made up of a series of explainers, scenarios and tools. Read more below to get a clear picture of what to expect.

CLICK EACH ITEM TO READ MORE
How Might We...?
Open-ended questions that unlock broad thinking.
30 minutes

Discussion

How Might We... is a way of starting a question to kick-start a discussion. The open-ended, optimistic phrasing is designed to encourage broad thinking. This technique was developed at P&G in the 1970s, and it has been used and promoted extensively by the design company IDEO.
Read more about this tool →
Idea Collisions
Smash ideas together to create original concepts.
30 minutes

Exercise

Take some existing ideas that you’ve come up with for a project, and see if you can join them together to make something unique and original. How could the aspects of one idea merge with or be added to the aspects of another idea?
Read more about this tool →
Half-Baked Ideas
Develop and share incomplete or rough ideas to refine and evolve them into fully formed concepts.
10 minutes

Canvas

Quickly develop a set of incomplete or rough ideas to later refine and evolve into fully formed concepts.
Read more about this tool →
Constraints
Tighten the limits to force better ideas.
30 minutes

Canvas

We could all use more budget and more time, right? Maybe not. Constraints are all around us, and they are often the source of the very best ideas. So, rather than seeking to remove constraints, try welcoming and embracing them.
Read more about this tool →
Details
Pay close attention to the small elements of a problem.
30 minutes

Canvas

By focusing in on specific elements we can pick apart a problem or highlight a feature. We can use what we find to highlight the strengths of an idea, or identify possible areas for future development.
Read more about this tool →
Alternate Uses
Loosen up divergent thinking with rapid ideas.
15 minutes

Exercise

The Alternate Uses Test asks us to think of as many uses as possible for a simple object, like a brick or a paperclip. The test is usually time-constrained. It measures divergent thinking, in that it is looking for as many ideas as possible.
Read more about this tool →
Problem Swap
Solve each other's problems for fresh perspective.
30 minutes

Exercise

Participants think of a current problem they are experiencing in their work. They then pair with another participant and swap problems. How would each solve the other’s problem?
Read more about this tool →
Solved!
Imagine a problem solved to reveal what is really blocking you.
30 minutes

Discussion

We ask participants to imagine they could solve a key business problem, just by clicking their fingers. What would they solve and what difference would it make? This can reveal perceived blocks to progress, and provokes fresh thinking.
Read more about this tool →
Big Idea
Detail all the different elements of your idea.
30 minutes

Canvas

Think about the project you’re working on. What’s a really big idea that could help you achieve your objectives? Use our worksheet to detail all the different elements of your idea.
Read more about this tool →
Easy High Impact
Map ideas by effort and impact to set priorities.
15 minutes

Exercise

Which of your ideas and projects should take priority? Which will offer the best return for the least resources? If some of your ideas look great but seem hard to achieve, can you simplify or streamline them so they take less resources or effort?
Read more about this tool →
What you leave with

Three things you walk away with.

The first idea is rarely the best one. This toolkit gives you a set of creative thinking tools to reframe the problem, generate ideas fast, collide them into something new and choose what to take forward.

Better ideas

More original ideas and fewer dead ends

A fresh angle

A problem reframed and opened up

A clear shortlist

A shortlist of ideas worth taking forward

How it works

From booking to the room.

one

Book your seat

Choose a date and book online. You get instant confirmation, and an invoice if you need one.

two

Get your details

We send joining instructions, the location or link, and anything to prepare beforehand.

three

Come along

Join a small cohort of peers from other organisations for the session.

four

Take it back

Leave with practical tools and a clear next step to put to work with your own team.

How it works

From purchase to running it.

one

Buy the kit

A one-off purchase, with instant access to every file and a licence for your whole organisation.

two

Download everything

Get the full toolkit as a single download: guides, tools, workbook and slides.

three

Make it yours

Read the facilitator's guide and tailor the deck and materials to your team.

four

Run it

Use the kit as designed and lead your team through the process from start to finish.

In the kit

Everything you need, from start to finish.

The kit is built to be opened and used. No theory to interpret, no convoluted instructions or setup. Everything is ready.

Facilitator's playbook

A step-by-step running order with timings and prompts, so you can run the session with confidence.

Editable slide deck

A brandable deck in PowerPoint and Keynote to run the session your way.

Printable workbooks and canvases

Every tool as a print-ready worksheet or canvas, for the room or a whiteboard.

Coaching call with James

An optional 30-minute call to plan your session and get the most from the kit.

In the SESSION

Time well spent, from start to finish.

I've been delivering open workshops for years. They're different beasts to in-person sessions, and I use a considered mix of technology and facilitation techniques to make them effective and engaging experiences. Here's what you can expect when you attend this one.

Placeholder illustration

Facilitator's playbook

A step-by-step running order with timings and prompts, so you can run the session with confidence.

Editable slide deck

A brandable deck in PowerPoint and Keynote to run the session your way.

Printable workbooks and canvases

Every tool as a print-ready worksheet or canvas, for the room or a whiteboard.

Coaching call with James

An optional 30-minute call to plan your session and get the most from the kit.

Is it right for you?

An honest read on fit.

A good fit if
  • You are stuck on a specific problem
  • You want practical ideation tools, not theory
  • You are happy to run them on your own or with a team
  • You want a structured way to get to fresh ideas
Probably not for you if
  • You want someone to generate the ideas for you
  • You want a full facilitated innovation programme
  • You are looking for a lecture on creativity
  • You are not ready to try new techniques

Common questions.

What's included in the toolkit?

Every tool in the kit, a facilitator playbook with a running order and timings, an editable slide deck, printable workbooks and canvases, and worked examples. Everything you need to run it yourself.

How is it delivered?

It is a digital download. The moment you buy, you get instant access to download everything, yours to keep.

Do I need facilitation experience to run it?

No. Every tool comes with step-by-step facilitator notes and timings, so you can run it with confidence even if you have never facilitated before.

Can I run it with my whole team or organisation?

Yes. Your licence is organisation-wide, so you can use it with any team, as many times as you like.

Can I edit and brand the materials?

Yes. The slides and worksheets are editable, so you can brand them and adapt them to your own context.

Can I get help running it?

Yes. You can add a coaching call with James to plan your session, or bring him in to facilitate it for you.

Need a hand?

Talk to James first.

If you are not sure whether this is right for your team, a short call is the fastest way to find out. No pressure, no pitch.