Quick Fix: Creative Problem Solving

Introduction

If MacGyver were a middle manager, he'd be your best benchmark. Give him a paperclip, and he’ll fix a satellite. Give him half a team, a broken process, and a tight deadline, and he’ll still deliver.

That’s the spirit today’s middle managers need to thrive. Whether in factories, logistics, or service delivery, they are the silent engines of execution in solving problems daily, ensuring operations run smoothly, and keeping customers happy. But without fast, effective problem-solving skills, even the best can feel stuck.

This Creative Problem-Solving program is a high-impact, 2-day learning experience designed to turn challenges into triumphs. Through strategic frameworks like Design Thinking, SCAMPER, and the OPERAET execution map, participants will learn to tackle real-time issues with confidence even under pressure.

More than just ideas, this training equips participants to act decisively, influence upwards and downwards, and become the go-to problem solver in their team. When middle managers solve better, organizations deliver on time, with quality, harnessing clients’ trust.

Learning Outcomes / Benefits

Upon attending this 2-day training, participants will be able to:

• Debunk the myth that creativity is an inborn talent and instead embrace it as a skill that can be developed, practiced, and applied at work.
• Understand divergent, convergent, and creative thinking patterns and analyze problems from multiple perspectives and approach challenges more holistically.
• Frame problems clearly using tools like 4W1H and problem statements to avoid jumping to surface-level solutions.
• Apply frameworks like Design Thinking, SCAMPER, and CRAZY 8 to create and test practical solutions that align with organizational goals and SOPs.
• Adopt the OPERAET Strategic Map and decision-making techniques to implement ideas effectively.

Key Content

Module 1: Debunking Myth and Fear

Creativity isn’t a gift; it’s a skill that can be developed. This module helps participants shift their mindset to unlock their creative potential for fast and impactful workplace solutions:

• Creativity Myths & Misconceptions: Creating awareness that creativity is not a gift but a skill, unlike their personal belief.
• Caveman vs Human Brain Map: Understanding the human brain and resistance to new ideas/ risks by knowing reptilian brain theory.
• Uncovering Creative Potential: Becoming aware of human evolution and inventions since the Stone Age, despite risk.

Module 2: Convergent-Divergent-Creative

This module guides participants to explore human thinking styles and apply the right method at the right time:

• Divergent Thinking: Generating many ideas to solve a problem.
• Convergent Thinking: Narrowing down ideas or logically determining one solution.
• Creative Thinking: Integrating both styles to produce innovative, practical solutions.

Module 3: Problem Detailing

Clarity in understanding the problem is the first step toward effective solutioning. This module trains participants to detail problem through a few techniques:

• Context Detailing with 4W1H: Using Who, What, When, Where, and How to break down the issue contextually.
• Sourcing Internal & External Data: Identify relevant data within the team and organization or from outside benchmarks.
• Establishing a Problem Statement: developing a clear, focused, and actionable problem definition to source effective solutions.

Module 4: Proven Tools and Techniques

Applying proven creative and thinking frameworks empowers middle managers to think beyond constraints and structure their ideas for real-world challenges:

• Design Thinking: Understanding human-centered approach to innovating ideas and adapting it for problem-solving.
• Brainstorming the Right Way: Creative ideation process, adapting the right guide.
• Crazy 8 Divergent Thinking: Fast-paced sketching technique to spark unconventional ideas in 8 minutes.

Module 5: Quick Fix

Middle managers are the first responders to daily operational bottlenecks. This module empowers them to generate and implement swift, practical and safe solutions:

• Day-to-Day Problems: becoming aware of common operational challenges in their role and adopting an agile and confident problem-solving mindset.
• SCAMPER the Quick Fix: Apply the SCAMPER method to repurpose, tweak, and rethink existing workflows or resources creatively for rapid solution generation.
• Safety Net – Quick Fix: Solidify quick solutions by ensuring they align with organizational goals, SOPs, and quality standards.

Module 6: Decision Making and Strategic Execution

Decisions need speed, confidence, and precision, especially when resources and time are limited:

• Convergent Assessment Matrix: A structured tool to prioritize and evaluate ideas based on feasibility, impact, and alignment.
• Recognition-Primed Decision (RPD): Learn how experienced leaders make quick, effective decisions under pressure by matching current situations to familiar patterns.
• FACT + GUTS: Combine data-driven analysis (FACT) with instinctive leadership judgment (GUTS) for balanced, bold decisions.
• OPERAET map: implementing the solution effectively by adapting OPERATE to an effective flow which influences both higher management and the team.

Target Audience

Middle Managers with organization titles like Assistant Manager, Assistant Vice President, Team Leader, Supervisor, Senior Executive, who are also known as Sandwiched Managers from the healthcare industry, financial industry, manufacturing industry, F&B industry or any other service industry.

Methodology

The program adopts an experiential methodology where participants engage deeply with real-world scenarios, simulating the kind of quick decision-making and creative thinking required in their roles.

Participants will be immersed in hands-on activities, including:

• Live Case Studies based on middle manager challenges (e.g., absenteeism, resource constraints, delayed outputs)
• Mini Experiments to test assumptions and spark “aha!” moments
• Game-Based Activities to simulate decision pressure, encourage idea generation, and foster teamwork

Each module moves participants from concept to internalization, encouraging them to experiment with tools such as Design Thinking, SCAMPER, and OPERAET on situational problems. Group discussions, peer feedback, and reflection loops are embedded throughout to allow participants to refine their problem-solving mindset, gain confidence, and influence better workplace solutions.

By the end of the program, learners will not only have the tools, but also the behavioral readiness to lead and solve problems in dynamic, high-stakes environments.