Ideation and problem-solving

Ideation typically involves designers responding to a problem where problems are of two common types: simple or complex. Simple problems can be described as puzzles, or "tame problems", whereas complex problems are also known as complex challenges, or "wicked problems". A puzzle is fairly straightforward when the pieces need to be located and connected. In contrast, a complex challenge has no known or immediate solution and so designers need a variety of skills or capabilities. A capability, however, is never one skill in isolation but multiple subs-kills grouped together, such as creative and critical thinking, and using collaborative and decision-making tools and techniques. But whether simple or complex, the starting point for problem solving includes clarifying the goal, identifying the constraints, and understanding the context of the situation. To achieve this it can be helpful to make a checklist for questions to look at a problem from a variety of perspectives or angles. Also, Tame vs Wicked problems, blog below. https://www.td.org/content/atd-blog/puzzle-problem-challenge-or-conundrum