Developing and supporting creative problem‐solving teams: part 1 – a conceptual model

TLDR

Effective team development, facilitation, and creative problem‑solving can improve group decision making, yet meetings are often ineffective; awareness of variables that influence group processes can significantly enhance them. The paper investigates how to develop teams, enhance facilitation skills, and apply creative problem‑solving techniques. The authors discuss each area and present a model illustrating their interrelationships. The model serves as a practical framework for facilitators, participants, and managers, aiding meeting preparation, support, and training course development.

Abstract

Effective team development, facilitation and creative problem solving are three components that can help improve group problem solving and decision making. Group meetings can be notoriously ineffective and inefficient. They can be significantly improved if the facilitator and problem champion are aware of, and can influence, the variables that affect the group’s processes. This paper explores the elements involved in developing teams, enhancing facilitation skills and utilising creative problem‐solving techniques. These three areas are discussed in turn before presenting a model that shows the relationships that exist between them. This model is a useful framework for facilitators, problem champions and group participants because it can help in the preparation and support of group meetings. In addition, the model can also help managers to develop training courses for team development and facilitation.