Creativity Management ? Measurement, Benchmarking, and Improvement
Contrary to common perception, creativity can be made tangible, measurable and useable. In terms of measurement, benchmarking and improvement, the first step is to decide on definitions, the second is to decide on methods of measurement and finally, to monitor each measurement for improvement.
Definitions of creativity are not elusive. In fact, the number of definitions helps the analyst better define creativity and refine its management:
a) Coming up with original ideas.
Misleading. It can be compellingly argued that all new ideas are actually evolutions of previous ideas. Implies a break from the past.
b) Recombination.
The recombination of existing elements to form something new. Thus creativity is not something completely new but relatively new. Offers a practical method. For example, Synectics ? the practice of taking two elements and consciously creating new links and elements from them.
c) Novel and useful solutions.
Does not imply a complete break with the past and introduces the concept of applicability. Can be extrapolated to arrive at creative and critical thinking. Where creative thinking is used generate a large idea pool and critical thinking is used to reduce that pool to feasible ideas. Implies that creativity can be measured according to degrees of novelty. Someone who expands on Einstein's Theory of Relativity is not as creative as Einstein was as the ideas are not as novel.
d) Expressing unusual thought. Experiencing the world in novel ways. Effect significant changes in culture (Csikszentmihalyim, 1996).
Implies creativity has practical, expressive and cognitive elements. Closer to the common perception of "artist."
e) Producing a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of rare ideas. The most thoroughly "scientific" definition and practical on a quantitative level.
f) Creativity as problem identification and idea generation and innovation as idea selection, development and commercialisation. Provides a good distinction between creativity and innovation. Implies a number of differing competencies are involved and also implies the universality of creativity ? we are creative on some level as we all solve problems.
Other definitions, measurement and benchmarking techniques are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com. You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.
Kal Bishop MBA, is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com
 Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:51:44 GMT Discovery may boost statin safety - BBC News
BBC News - Scientists have pinpointed a gene mutation as a major cause of a rare side effect of the cholesterol-lowering drugs statins. They hope the discovery could lead to a simple test to identify patients at increased risk of myopathy - severe muscle pain and ... Gene May Predict Cholesterol-Lowering Drug Risk, Study Says Genetic Cause of Statin-Related Muscle Pain Found Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:14:24 GMT Karadzic lived the good life with wine, song - Reuters
Reuters - By Ivana Sekularac BELGRADE (Reuters) - Radovan Karadzic lived the good life while hiding from justice for 11 years: he watched his diet, fell in love and hung out in a small bar where hardliners gathered to sing about his wartime exploits. Video: Karadzic's arrest sparks clashes - 23 Jul 08 Karadzic's secret life enthralls his fellow Serbs Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:05:33 GMT Zimbabwe Parties May Sign Unity Deal Soon, Business Day Reports - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Carli Lourens July 24 (Bloomberg) -- Zimbabwe's ruling and opposition parties may sign a power-sharing agreement soon as they have already agreed on a wide range of issues, Business Day reported, citing people it didn't identify. Fearsome Zimbabwe militias are afraid Delayed Zimbabwe Power-Sharing Talks Seen Beginning Thursday Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:23:06 GMT Christian Bale's lady sidekick: Sibi Bale - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Like the Dark Knight/Bruce Wayne, Christian Bale is a real-life man of mystery. Averse to personal publicity, he is well-known for not wanting to discuss his private life. Christian Bale, Wife "Solid" at Knight's Spain Premiere Bale's family feud led to scuffle Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:10:31 GMT Rapper 50 Cent sues Taco Bell over ad - New York Daily News
New York Daily News - BY THOMAS ZAMBITO The rapper - real name Curtis Jackson - is suing the fast-food chain for using his hip-hop persona to tout its tacos. 50 Cent sues Taco Bell over ad campaign Rapper 50 Cent says Taco Bell stole his endorsement Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:15:09 GMT Favre's heir? With backing from mates, Rodgers waits patiently - USA Today
USA Today - By Matt Ludtke, AP By Larry Weisman, USA TODAY He no longer sounds like a retired player after seemingly passing on the opportunity to lead a talent-laden Packers squad. Video: The Rift Between Favre and the Packers Finding new home for Brett Favre won't be easy Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:06:18 GMT Billionaires Back Antismoking Effort - New York Times
New York Times - Bill Gates and New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced their antismoking initiative on Wednesday in New York. By DONALD G. MCNEIL JR Bill Gates and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced on Wednesday that they would spend $500 million to stop ... Video: Gates, Bloomberg Pool Riches to Fight Smoking The $500 million war on smoking Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:23:48 GMT Make Money With Affiliate Data Feeds |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... You are so creative.Don't deny it. Whether or not you... Read More As workplaces continue to rightsize and downsize, we all find... Read More I have to admit that I am a confirmed puzzle-head.... Read More 95 percent of what we know about the brain, we... Read More Here in England September represents the end of Summer and... Read More What is creativity anyway? Well, let us look at the... Read More Creativity is the gift to mankind. This is not the... Read More Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More efore thinking about how to be more creative, let me... Read More We experience creativity every time a fresh idea pops into... Read More In my life, sleep is the number one way that... Read More Who do you know who is feeling stuck, under-performing, or... Read More We are all born shy, aren't we? When we see... Read More The ability to exercise your creativity is even more important... Read More About once every year or so, I take a critical... Read More My grandmother used to say that the secret to living... Read More Channeling is much easier to do than most people suspect.... Read More All wealth is a product of mind. Some economists will... Read More "It's a free country," they say. "Celebrate our independence," I... Read More SoulCollage? is a unique blend of spiritual practice and the... Read More Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More After many years of performing as a vocalist, I switched... Read More Did you know that winning actually puts less wear and... Read More Unleash Your Creativity! Creativity has often been the misunderstood... Read More The brain is a strange organ. It works in ways... Read More
Adsense
websites
Mindfulness and Creativity: The Wow of Wonder
12 Ways To Boost Your Creativity At Work
How Logic Puzzles Can Help You Become a Better Problem Solver
Creativity And You
What is Creativity?
Creative Thinking The Secret Key To Lasting Success
Creativity
Creativity Management ? Intellectual Cross Pollination
How to be More Creative and Enhance Your Creativity
Top Ten Brainstorming Techniques for Business Success
Sleep and Creativity
Is Your Team Suffering from FWTS?
Shyness - Another View
Five Basic Steps to Benefit from Your Creativity
How Do You Paint New Age
Dancing On Your Brain: The Cha-Cha Effect
Inspiration, Creativity, and Channeling ? Opening Ourselves to Greatness
Think & Grow Rich
Mindfulness and Independence: Observing Fireworks
SoulCollage - Combining Collage Fun with Spiritual Practice
Creativity Management ? Finish What You Start
What Open Stage is Teaching Me About Life
Seeing Problems From Their Creative Side
Five Steps to Higher Creativity: Engaging the Human Spirit
Unleash Your Creativity and Think Your Way Out of the Box
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
The Elements of Creativity: What-ifs?
What if there is no toilet paper and I am... Read More
5 Ways to Enhance Your Creativity
We're born creative. However, this innate characteristic becomes buried as... Read More
The Elements of Creativity: Attributes Listing Method
Attribute listing is one of the best ways to generate... Read More
7 Things Sapping Your Creativity Right Now
This was a very easy article to write. I was... Read More
The Source of Growth and Creativity
Bare attention (to objects, people and circumstances) is what brings... Read More
Are You Creative?
Have you ever heard the saying, "The harder I work,... Read More
Is Your Team Suffering from FWTS?
Who do you know who is feeling stuck, under-performing, or... Read More
Business Innovation ? Personal Creativity
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
I Want To Create...
What would you like to create? A peaceful life, a... Read More
Creativity Management ? Breaking Through The Mental Barrier
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Recharge Your Battery
It was 4:15PM on a Thursday when I arrived at... Read More
Top Ten Brainstorming Techniques for Business Success
We experience creativity every time a fresh idea pops into... Read More
Inspiration, Creativity, and Channeling ? Opening Ourselves to Greatness
Channeling is much easier to do than most people suspect.... Read More
Achieving Limitless Creativity
There are many out there who wish to help individuals... Read More
Seeing Problems From Their Creative Side
Did you know that winning actually puts less wear and... Read More
Creativity And You
95 percent of what we know about the brain, we... Read More
Creativity and Broken Eggs
In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition.They offered... Read More
Our Limitless Quantum Reality
Modern science tells us that on a sub-atomic level --... Read More
How to Generate Ideas for Info-products?
Dear friends the current study shows that there are more... Read More
What Open Stage is Teaching Me About Life
After many years of performing as a vocalist, I switched... Read More
How You Can Improve Your Creativity - What You Need to Know
Would you like to enhance your creativity? Do you think... Read More
10 Ways To Boost Your Creativity
Creativity is your birthright ? but can often be hidden... Read More
Creativity Management ? Sustainability through Passion
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Telling It Like It Is (Or Can Be)
When you hear, "tell me a story," does your mind... Read More
Creative Memory Tricks
What's the biggest problem with memory tricks? Remembering to use... Read More
Creativity |