| Title | 101 Creative Problem Solving Techniques: The Handbook of New Ideas for Business |
| Author(s) | James M. Higgins |
| Publisher | New Management Publishing Company |
| Year | 1994 |
| Edition | 1st Edition |
| Language | English |
| Pages | 242 |
| ISBN | 9781883629007 |
| Genre | Business & Economics, Decision-Making & Problem Solving, Management |
| Series | Unknown |
| Size | 4.03 MB |
| Extension |
Summary of 101 Creative Problem Solving Techniques
101 Creative Problem Solving Techniques: The Handbook of New Ideas for Business is a landmark reference work by James M. Higgins, first published in 1994 by New Management Publishing Company. At a time when competitive pressures were intensifying across virtually every industry, Higgins recognized that the ability to generate novel and effective solutions had become one of the most critical competencies a business professional could develop. Drawing on his extensive academic research and corporate consulting experience, he assembled a curated toolkit of 101 distinct techniques that anyone — from a front-line employee to a senior executive — could apply immediately to real-world challenges. The book stands out not only for the breadth and depth of its content but also for its engaging presentation, combining clear explanations with illustrative examples and humor-infused graphics that make even complex ideation methods accessible and memorable.
At its conceptual core, the book is organized around a fundamental distinction between personal creativity techniques and group creativity techniques, reflecting the author's understanding that problem-solving does not always occur in the same context. Some challenges call for deep individual reflection and solo ideation, while others benefit from the collective intelligence, diverse perspectives, and dynamic energy of a team. Higgins introduces the reader to the underlying psychology of creativity before presenting each technique, explaining why certain methods work, what cognitive mechanisms they activate, and under what circumstances they are most effective. The book also addresses the relationship between creativity and innovation, clarifying that generating an idea is only the first step — the ultimate goal is to transform creative output into tangible organizational value.
Each of the 101 techniques is presented in a consistent, reader-friendly format: a concise description of the method, guidance on how to apply it, and real-world examples drawn from well-known companies. Readers will encounter classic techniques such as brainstorming and mind mapping alongside lesser-known methods that expand the creative repertoire far beyond conventional approaches. The book is thoroughly referenced and includes ample citations for readers who wish to explore the academic foundations of each method further. Its carefully designed index allows practitioners to quickly locate the technique most appropriate for a given situation, making it function as both a linear read and a practical quick-reference guide during live problem-solving sessions.
The book is ideally suited for a broad spectrum of professionals including managers, team leaders, project coordinators, quality consultants, human resources specialists, and educators. It is equally valuable in academic settings as a supplementary text for courses in management, organizational behavior, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Graduate students at business schools will find it a rich companion to more theoretical treatments of creativity and decision-making, while seasoned practitioners will appreciate its immediate applicability. The 242-page volume is compact enough to carry to a workshop or boardroom yet comprehensive enough to serve as a lasting desk reference throughout one's career.
Since its initial publication, 101 Creative Problem Solving Techniques has earned strong praise from business leaders across industries, including executives from Tupperware, Walt Disney World, and management consulting firms. A revised second edition published in 2006 confirms the book's enduring relevance, demonstrating that its methods have aged exceptionally well in an era of accelerating change and disruption. Whether downloaded as a PDF or consulted in its print form, this handbook remains one of the most practical and complete guides to business creativity available, and it continues to be recommended by professors, coaches, and innovation practitioners worldwide.
Key Features
- Presents exactly 101 distinct creativity and problem-solving techniques, organized into clearly labeled personal and group categories for easy navigation.
- Each technique is accompanied by a concise description, step-by-step application guidance, and concrete examples drawn from real companies.
- A comprehensive and well-organized index allows readers to identify the most appropriate technique for any given problem or context within seconds.
- Covers the full spectrum of ideation methods, from widely known approaches like brainstorming and mind mapping to specialized techniques rarely found in standard business texts.
- Illustrates the critical distinction between creativity — generating original ideas — and innovation — transforming those ideas into measurable organizational value.
- Features humor-infused graphics and illustrations on nearly every page, making complex cognitive methods visually engaging and easier to retain.
- Includes thorough academic citations and bibliographic references, enabling readers to deepen their understanding of the psychological and theoretical foundations of each technique.
- Draws on real-world corporate case studies from well-known organizations to demonstrate how each method performs in authentic business environments.
- Addresses the organizational and environmental conditions that either foster or suppress creative thinking within teams and institutions.
- Reflects the author's dual perspective as both a leading academic researcher in innovation management and an active corporate consultant and executive educator.
- Functions effectively both as a cover-to-cover introduction to creative problem solving and as a quick-reference handbook during live workshops, meetings, or planning sessions.
- Applicable across a wide range of sectors including manufacturing, services, education, healthcare, and technology.
- Explores the psychological barriers to creative thinking and provides specific techniques designed to overcome cognitive blocks and fixed mindsets.
- Has demonstrated lasting relevance, with a revised second edition published in 2006, confirming the timeless applicability of its methods.
About the Author
James M. Higgins is a distinguished professor, researcher, and management consultant who has dedicated his career to the study and promotion of creativity and innovation in organizational contexts. He holds the Cornell Professorship of Innovation Management at the Roy E. Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida — one of the most respected graduate business programs in the United States. In parallel with his academic career, he has served as President of James M. Higgins & Associates Inc., a consulting firm through which he has advised corporations and led executive development programs for organizations across multiple industries. His research has been published in leading journals including Creativity and Innovation Management, and he has been cited by scholars and practitioners worldwide as a foundational voice in the field of business innovation.
Higgins is the author of more than twenty distinct works spanning creativity, strategic management, organizational policy, and human relations. Among his most notable titles are Innovate or Evaporate, The Management Challenge, Escape from the Maze: 9 Steps to Personal Creativity, Strategic Management: Text and Cases (co-authored with Julian W. Vincze), and Organizational Policy and Strategic Management. His work on how innovative companies operate — including influential studies on Japanese innovation strategy — has shaped academic and corporate thinking about competitive advantage through creativity. Praised by executives from organizations such as Tupperware and Walt Disney World for the practical depth and intellectual rigor of his writing, Higgins represents a rare combination of scholarly credibility and real-world applicability that defines the very best in business education literature.
Related Books
- Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques — Michael Michalko
- Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step — Edward de Bono
- A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative — Roger von Oech
- The Art of Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from IDEO — Tom Kelley
- Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All — Tom Kelley and David Kelley
- Innovate or Evaporate: Test and Improve Your Organization's IQ — James M. Higgins
- Six Thinking Hats — Edward de Bono
- The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail — Clayton M. Christensen
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q : How are the 101 techniques organized within the book?
R : The techniques are divided into two primary categories: personal creativity techniques, intended for individual use during solo problem-solving, and group creativity techniques, designed for teams and collaborative settings. Within these categories, methods are further grouped by type and application context, making it easy to identify the right approach for a given situation. The book also features a detailed index that allows readers to locate specific techniques by name or by the type of problem they are trying to solve, effectively transforming it into a rapid-access reference tool.
Q : Does the book require a background in psychology or management to understand?
R : No specialized academic background is required. Higgins writes in clear, accessible language and introduces the relevant psychological and organizational concepts in plain terms before presenting each technique. The inclusion of illustrations, case studies, and real company examples further grounds abstract concepts in familiar business situations. Both students encountering creativity theory for the first time and experienced executives looking to refresh their toolkit will find the content immediately understandable and applicable.
Q : What types of companies and real-world examples are featured in the book?
R : The book draws on examples from a broad cross-section of companies spanning manufacturing, consumer goods, technology, and services industries. These case studies show how well-known organizations have successfully applied creative problem-solving methods to overcome competitive challenges, streamline operations, and generate breakthrough innovations. The use of familiar corporate names helps readers see exactly how abstract techniques translate into measurable business outcomes, which significantly increases the credibility and applicability of each method presented.
Q : Is this book suitable for use as a training or workshop resource?
R : Absolutely. The book was specifically designed with practitioners in mind and is well suited for use in corporate training programs, facilitated workshops, team-building sessions, and academic courses on innovation and management. Its indexed structure allows facilitators to select specific techniques relevant to a particular session's goals, and the step-by-step application guidance provided for each method means it can be implemented directly without additional preparation materials. Many quality consultants, project managers, and executive coaches have adopted it as a standard workshop reference.
Q : What is the difference between creativity and innovation as defined in this book?
R : Higgins draws a clear and important distinction between the two concepts: creativity refers to the generation of original ideas, while innovation means successfully transforming those ideas into products, services, processes, or strategies that create significant value for an organization. This distinction is central to the book's philosophy, as it frames the 101 techniques not merely as exercises in imaginative thinking but as tools for producing tangible competitive advantages. The author argues that creativity is the indispensable springboard to innovation, making the development of creative skills a strategic business priority rather than a soft skill.
Q : Has the book been updated since its original 1994 publication?
R : Yes. A revised second edition of the book was published in 2006 by New Management Publishing Company, with an updated ISBN of 9781883629052. The revised edition runs to 241 pages and reflects updates to examples and content based on developments in the field since the original publication. The continued commercial availability and academic use of both editions confirms the enduring relevance of Higgins's framework across more than three decades of rapid change in the business environment.
Q : Which industries or professions will benefit most from reading this book?
R : The book's techniques are genuinely cross-industry and have been applied successfully in fields as diverse as manufacturing, financial services, education, healthcare, technology, retail, and nonprofit management. Business managers, team leaders, human resources professionals, quality consultants, educators, and strategic planners will all find directly applicable content. The book is particularly valuable for any professional who regularly leads teams through complex decisions, facilitates brainstorming sessions, or is responsible for driving innovation within their organization.
Q : How does this book differ from other creativity and brainstorming guides on the market?
R : While many creativity books focus on a single method or a small cluster of techniques, Higgins's handbook is distinguished by the sheer breadth of its coverage — 101 fully described techniques — and by the academic rigor that underpins each one. The book includes bibliographic references and citations that connect each method to its theoretical roots, giving it a depth of scholarship rarely found in practitioner-oriented guides. The dual focus on both personal and group creativity, combined with humor-infused illustrations and real corporate case studies, also makes it one of the most engaging and contextually rich resources of its kind.
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