Osborn-Parnes Problem Solving Process for Overpopulation

Running Head: CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION
Creativity and innovation
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CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION 1
Osborn-Parnes Problem solving process
Introduction: Problems are not new, they are present in this world from years and also much
work has been done to solve these problems with the help of problem solving techniques. But as
this world is moving forward the complexity of the over population is increasing. Increase in
population means over use of all available resources like food, energy, water and many other
things (Lutz, Sanderson & Scherbov, 2008). As per current survey total human population of our
world is 7.6 billion in which 61% contribution is from developing countries. Hence to solve this
issue, Osborn-Parnes Problem solving process is used which was formed by Osborn in 1981 and
was further upgraded by Parne in 1985. Here, two main steps of problem solving technique has
been used; one is divergent in which generated of many ideas have been done and other is
convergent in which selection of one idea from all other ideas have been done along with
narrowing the field. Following are the process which has been used in solving this
overpopulation problem.
1. Mess-Finding
It is the first stage of the process in which use of the world population growing
index is kept as system on which two technical approaches have been applied, one is
reactive in which identification of unexpected changes have been done and other is
proactive approach in which world population is considered as a system of continuous
improvement (Lin, 2011).
2. Fact-Finding
It is the second stage of the process in which large number of information is
gathered with the help of statically data’s related to world overcrowded population so that
a deep understanding about the related issue can be developed. In this stage focus is on
only collecting related data but not resolving problem. This stage helps in avoiding early
estimation of the related issue.
3. Problem-finding
In this stage a problem statement has been created from the collected data on the
base of present circumstances, indications, reasons and activating events. Focus is also
kept on possibility of error’s which can happen during the process like identifying that
problem which does not relate to over population and even solving that problem which is
not related to this over population (Chen & Cheng, 2009).
4. Idea-finding
After creating the problem statement, focus was on developing alternative ideas
related to this problem. In this stage Cause and effect diagram is used as a tool to ensure
the better result. Some of the generated ideas are: provide worldwide access to operative
contraceptive choices for both genders, provide suitable sexuality teaching in which we
can include drawback of over population, end policies that prize parents with economics

CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION 2
on the criteria of number of offspring, Increase pricing for ecological cost and adjust
population in those countries where population is very low as compared to area.
5. Solution-finding
In this stage evaluation of all these ideas was done on the basis of fixed criteria.
PERT and GANT charts were used as tools which has given a clear idea about the
strengths and weaknesses of all the generated ideas and their impact on solving the
problem of overpopulation.
6. Accepting-finding
As per results of PERT and GANT charts related to all ideas, providing
appropriate sexuality education stands at the top among all options because as we know
that for any person education or learning forms the base for development of the person. In
education we can utilize data’s, facts and figures in form of topics like checking equality
of sexes, controlling population explosion, developing appropriate reproductive behavior,
proper utilization of nation wealth and maintaining of health (De Mast & Lokkerbol,
2012).
Provide suitable
sexuality teaching
Increase pricing
for ecological
cost
Worldwide access to operative
contraceptive
End policies that prize parents
with economics on the criteria of
number of offspring
Over
population
Adjust population in low
populated countries