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Anyone that\u2019s ever worked on or managed a project knows full well the challenges involved. Many of those obstacles are operational \u2014 keeping team members focused, managing deliverables, remedying scheduling conflicts, and so on. But most projects come up against problems where the solution isn\u2019t linear or even obvious. These challenges require a little more creativity to overcome. Put another way, they require divergent thinking.<\/p>\n
Down below, we\u2019ll take a deep dive into the concept of divergent thinking and show you how to use it to tackle challenging problems. We\u2019ll see a few examples of divergent thinking and show you how you can systemize it on monday.com to give your team a boost in creative problem-solving.<\/p>\n
Get started<\/a><\/p>\n In the broadest sense and simplest terms, divergent thinking describes a way of looking at problems and solutions unconventionally. It\u2019s about coming up with a novel way to solve a problem when the usual answers don\u2019t work. And in many cases, it\u2019s about seeing a solution to a problem that no one knew existed.<\/p>\nDivergent thinking is the basis of creative problem solving and the essential ingredient to innovation.<\/span><\/a>\n In project management and product development, thinking divergently is a necessary component of brainstorming, collaboration, and any form of creativity. But while this all captures the essence of divergent thinking, let\u2019s see what thinking divergently produces by way of example.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a good chance you\u2019re reading this on the most successful example of divergent thinking in history.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The first smartphones were little more than miniaturized computers \u2014 small screens, physical keyboards, and operating systems not unlike the ones on a desktop or laptop. And given their success, almost no one saw a problem with the linear manner of shrinking a computer into a handheld device. That is until Steve Jobs of Apple unveiled the iPhone.<\/p>\n While modern smartphones are the latest and greatest result of divergent thinking, you can look throughout recorded history for endless examples. Cultural shifts and changes in entire societies are the results of divergent thinkers.<\/p>\n But divergent thinking isn\u2019t reserved for famous inventors or revolutionaries. If you\u2019ve ever turned a screw using a coin, made a paper airplane, or otherwise used something in a way it wasn\u2019t intended, you were thinking divergently. With that in mind, let\u2019s explore ways you can use divergent thinking to become a better and more creative problem solver.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re finding a solution to a problem with no clear cause or you\u2019re searching for an innovative way of doing something, divergent thinking techniques can lead you to new and surprising solutions. And like any other skill or way of thinking, you can improve creative thinking by practicing divergent thinking.<\/p>\n Here are a few ways you can think more divergently when faced with a complex or challenging problem:<\/p>\n Now that you know how to start boosting your creative problem solving, let\u2019s explore how your new skills fit into project management.<\/p>\n Most projects have some degree of divergent thinking already built in. Brainstorming sessions, for example, are divergent thinking in action. But just about every project could do with a few more creative ideas. In addition to the obvious benefits you\u2019ve no doubt surmised, divergent thinking also\u00a0boosts morale and team collaboration<\/a>.<\/p>\n That said, it\u2019s important to consider both sides of the coin when it comes to managing projects. While we\u2019ve only discussed divergent thinking so far, it\u2019s important to consider its counterpart, convergent thinking. Divergent thinking and convergent thinking<\/a> are two sides to the same coin. Where divergent thinking is free-flowing ideation, convergent thinking is about selecting the right ideas and making them happen. As such, it\u2019s not enough to know how<\/em>\u00a0to think divergently \u2014 it\u2019s equally as important to know when<\/em>\u00a0to.<\/p>\n Successful projects are governed by concrete metrics. Scope, schedules, deadlines, deliverables, budgets \u2014 these are the constraints that all projects operate under. Viewed from this perspective, the very idea of divergent thinking can seem counterintuitive. But by embracing and planning for divergent thinking in specific circumstances, projects can benefit from a range of perspectives that were otherwise unobtainable.<\/p>\n Divergent thinking is especially valuable during the ideation stage of a project. When team members are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild, not every idea will be a gold nugget, but it might be an idea that leads to a veritable treasure chest.<\/p>\n Unexpected challenges are also great opportunities to leverage divergent thinking. If you\u2019re facing a complex problem with no apparent solution, why not invent your own? These are the moments that spark true innovation. In short, every project should have systems in place that allow for moments of divergent thinking and free-flowing creativity.<\/p>\n Get started<\/a><\/p>\n As a fully-featured WorkOS, monday.com enables you to systemize divergent thinking and integrate the creativity that\u2019s necessary for real innovation.<\/p>\n With one of our newest tools,\u00a0Canvas<\/a>, you can kick off new projects with a fully-collaborative, real-time online whiteboard. Intuitive tools let you and your team create diagrams, add sticky notes, and express thoughts, ideas, and information that lead to novel solutions.<\/p>\n Then you can converge those solutions in Workdocs<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 a collaborative free writing document editor that lets every team member write their ideas simultaneously, adding comments, rearranging thoughts, and creating tasks \u2014 all in real-time. And since you can embed monday.com dashboards, images, and videos, you can turn a creativity session into an actionable document.<\/p>\n monday.com also has dozens of\u00a0integrations<\/a>\u00a0for all your freeform, creative, and planning needs. From Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Docs to Slack and Zoom, collaboration on any tool is front and center.<\/p>\n Finally, any sort of creative endeavor requires fuel in the form of feedback and data. With\u00a0WorkForms<\/a>, you can provide your divergent thinkers with all the fuel they need by creating forms you can embed just about anywhere, including websites and emails. Or just send them as a link.<\/p>\n From end to end, monday.com is the place where creative thinking and project efficiency converge.<\/p>\nWhat is divergent thinking?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Examples of divergent thinking\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How to use divergent thinking to become a better problem solver<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Divergent thinking in project management<\/strong><\/h2>\n
When to use the divergent thinking method<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Systemize divergent thinking on monday.com<\/strong><\/h2>\n