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Description

Creativity at Work: Unblocking Situations, Generating Ideas and Testing Them

Moving beyond solutions already tried when the same problem returns every month in the same form

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

When a problem keeps recurring, teams replay the same answers. This is often called experience, but it is usually habit. Idea sessions end with a list that goes nowhere, for want of a method to frame the problem at the outset and to sort what comes out of it.

Two days to reframe a problem before looking for solutions, generate ideas individually and then as a group using simple techniques, select without discarding fragile proposals too early, and turn an idea into a concrete trial. Each participant works on a subject they genuinely have to address.

Learning objectives

  • Reframe a problem before looking for solutions
  • Identify the thinking habits that limit the range of answers considered
  • Apply three idea-generation techniques suited to the context
  • Sort ideas against criteria set in advance
  • Turn a selected idea into a small-scale trial

What makes this programme different

A real subject brought by each participant, taken from problem through to trial
Three idea-generation techniques practised and compared during the session
A sorting grid that avoids eliminating unusual ideas too early

Programme

1Framing the Right Problem

The wording shapes the answers

  • Moving from the symptom to the question to be addressed
  • Widening then narrowing the scope of the problem
  • Distinguishing real constraints from assumed constraints
  • Formulating the opening question of an idea session

2Removing Your Own Barriers

What blocks idea generation

  • Thinking habits and default solutions
  • The effect of immediate judgement on a group
  • Working alone before working together
  • Creating the practical conditions for a useful session

3Generating Ideas

Simple and repeatable techniques

  • Association and analogy with another sector of activity
  • Reversing the problem and deliberately absurd hypotheses
  • Imposed constraints to force a shift in perspective
  • Building on others' ideas without correcting them

4Sorting and Taking Action

From the list of ideas to the trial

  • Setting sorting criteria before looking at the ideas
  • Grouping, enriching and selecting without weak consensus
  • Turning an idea into a limited and measurable trial
  • Presenting an idea to a decision-maker who was not in the session

Who is it for

Anyone facing recurring problems, as well as managers, project managers and teams seeking new solutions

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.