What are the key principles of CPS innovation in team problem solving?

1 Clarify the problem

The first step in CPS is to clarify the problem you and your team are trying to solve. This means defining the scope, context, goals, and criteria of the problem, and identifying the needs and expectations of the stakeholders. Clarifying the problem helps you focus on the root causes, not the symptoms, and avoid jumping to premature solutions. You can use tools such as problem statements, SWOT analysis, or stakeholder maps to clarify the problem.

2 Generate diverse ideas

The next step in CPS is to generate diverse ideas that address the problem. This means using creative thinking techniques, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, or SCAMPER, to generate as many ideas as possible, without judging or filtering them. Generating diverse ideas helps you expand your perspective, explore different possibilities, and challenge your assumptions. You can use tools such as idea cards, affinity diagrams, or dot voting to generate diverse ideas.

3 Evaluate and select ideas

The third step in CPS is to evaluate and select the best ideas that meet the problem criteria. This means using critical thinking techniques, such as criteria matrix, pros and cons, or feasibility analysis, to compare and contrast the ideas, and select the most promising ones. Evaluating and selecting ideas helps you narrow down your options, test your assumptions, and justify your decisions. You can use tools such as decision matrix, impact-effort matrix, or Pugh matrix to evaluate and select ideas.

4 Plan and implement actions

The final step in CPS is to plan and implement the actions that will execute the selected ideas. This means using project management techniques, such as SMART goals, action plans, or Gantt charts, to define the tasks, resources, timelines, and responsibilities of the actions, and monitor their progress and outcomes. Planning and implementing actions helps you translate your ideas into reality, overcome potential obstacles, and measure your impact. You can use tools such as action plan templates, risk assessment, or feedback loops to plan and implement actions.

5 Collaborate and communicate

Throughout the CPS process, you and your team need to collaborate and communicate effectively. This means using teamwork skills, such as active listening, constructive feedback, or conflict resolution, to share information, opinions, and feedback, and reach consensus and alignment. Collaborating and communicating helps you build trust, respect, and synergy among your team members, and engage your stakeholders and customers. You can use tools such as team charter, communication plan, or stakeholder engagement plan to collaborate and communicate.

6 Learn and improve

Another key principle of CPS innovation is to learn and improve continuously. This means using reflection and evaluation skills, such as self-assessment, peer review, or post-mortem analysis, to review your process, outcomes, and learnings, and identify areas for improvement and growth. Learning and improving helps you enhance your CPS skills, celebrate your achievements, and apply your learnings to future problems. You can use tools such as reflection questions, learning journals, or improvement plans to learn and improve.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?