Innovation & Creative Problem Solving, with Gregg Fraley

On the 6th episode of “The Innovation Engine” podcast, we delve into the intersection of innovation and creative problem solving with Gregg Fraley. Among the topics Greg discusses are the Osborn-Parnes model of Creative Problem Solving (CPS) and how to strike the necessary balance between science and creativity to drive innovation.

Gregg is the founding partner and chief solver at KILN Ideas, a boutique consultancy that applies cultural trend intelligence products and new ideation techniques to achieve breakthrough ideas for their clients. He is a well-known speaker and has presented his thoughts at TEDxNASA, TEDxStorment, FUSE, and the Creative Problem Solving Institute. He blogs on innovation-themed topics regularly on his own website, and for the last 2 years he has been named as one of the top 40 innovation bloggers in the world by Innovation Excellence.com.

Here are some highlights from my discussion with Gregg Fraley:

• Gregg begins by proposing 3 easy to remember words to understand the gist of the terms CPS. Each of these three words i.e. Exploration, Ideation, and Action, according to Gregg represents a phase in structured problem solving.
• Establishing a formal process and running it with discipline like a train schedule is the key to strike a balance between science and creativity, he says.
• Are you wondering how to measure the ideation process? Gregg names a few free to use and paid products that can be used as Idea Management Systems. He also emphasizes the need to track not just number of new product innovation in a year, but the number of cycles of innovation that can be achieved by using tools for idea capture, tracking, and improvement.
• Gregg reveals how anticipating the ‘bottom slide’ is a good way of kickstarting the process of innovation and moving beyond the safe shores of the ‘status quo’ that most companies are reluctant to disrupt.

Sound interesting? Of course it does! Listen to the podcast via the embed below.

About The Innovation Engine

Since 2014, 3Pillar has published The Innovation Engine, a podcast that sees a wide range of innovation experts come on to discuss topics that include technology, leadership, and company culture. You can download and subscribe to The Innovation Engine on Apple Podcasts. You can also tune in via the podcast’s home on Spotify to listen online, via Android or iOS, or on any device supporting a mobile browser.