Creative Problem Solving (CPS)

Facilitation 

Creative Problem Solving or “CPS” is the innovation methodology of many Fortune 100 companies and highflying start-ups like Yahoo.  Many of these organizations send key executives and in-house facilitators to the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) for training in this powerful methodology.

CPS can be used for strategic planning, tactical solution finding, or new product development.  D.S. Fraley facilitates CPS sessions for corporate challenges.  They also offer workshops that enable organizations, training the trainers, and customized to meet specific organizational needs (click on CPS Training).  

CPS is a short name for the Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving Process.  Invented by advertising guru Alex Osborn of BBDO and enhanced by academician Sidney Parnes, CPS has been a secret weapon of some of the most successful companies in the world.  The process is proliferated by the Creative Education Foundation (CEF), which holds two international conferences a year to teach the process (www.cef-cpsi.org). 

D.S. Fraley uses components and principles of CPS as a foundation for much of its ideation work.   Both Gregg and Diane Fraley have been involved with CEF and the annual CPSI conference for over 12 years  --   as leaders at CPSI for the last 7 years.   Diane leads and presents “Spring Board” – basic CPS training, and on research topics.  Gregg leads sessions on Team Building, Facilitating Through the Arts, and the use of technology to enhance structured creativity.   Since their early involvement in 1988, they have used the process in many corporate and non-profit settings.  They have developed unique tools and techniques that add value to the process.  Tools based on anthropological approaches and improvisational comedy and acting exercises.