101 Activities For Teaching Creativity And Problem Solving

Free Association Activities: “Blue Skies” 177

38. Essence of the Problem

Background

An essence is something concentrated that retains its basic properties. It is the internal

factor that gives something special characteristics. For instance, perfume is the essence of

flowers, and grapes are the essence of wine. Thus, an essence is a root or source element,

what we use to identify with something, or what makes something “real.” Because

essence is a source element, it defines what is and what can be. Essence provides poten-

tial, boundaries, and scope. It communicates meaning, which leads to understanding.

Each problem has an essence that defines what is and what can be. By examining the

“what is,” it is possible to explore the “what can be.” That is, understanding essence

makes it possible to extract potential ideas from problem statements, because all prob-

lems exist on a continuum of abstraction. Thus, the essence of a given problem is that

broad concept behind it. The essence of reducing crime, for instance, might be “preven-

tion.” In this case, the “what is” could be “incidence of crime” and the “what can be”

might be “reduced incidence of crime.”

This activity is very similar to What’s the Problem? [70] in concept, but different in exe-

cution. The basic principle of searching for an “essence” is in both. When using What’s the

Problem?, attention is focused on increasingly abstract levels of the original problem’s verb.

For instance, a problem of how to increase parking would focus on progressively more

abstract ways to increase things (not just parking). When using Essence of the Problem, in

contrast, attention is focused on different perceptions of the “essence” of “increase parking.”

Objectives

• To help participants generate as many creative ideas as possible


• To help participants learn how to use the activities to generate ideas

Participants

Small groups of four to seven people each

Materials, Supplies, and Equipment

• For each group: markers, two flip charts, and masking tape for posting flip-chart
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