Source: Greenwald (2003)

Step 1 (Step 1, Invention)

• What are you going to improve?
• Use bug listing as a vehicle for identifying what needs to be changed,improved, modified and/or added in our lives.
• Choose something from your list.

Step 2 (Step 1, CPS; Step 2, Invention)

• CPS: Brainstorm possible subproblems or difficulties associated with your choice.
• Invention: Find problems with what you chose.
• Strategy: develop an attribute list to take a closer look at part-to-part, part-to-whole aspects of what you chose.

Step 3 (Step 2, CPS; Step 3, Invention)

• CPS: Restate your problem or subproblem for creative attack. Begin with "In what ways might...?" or "How might...?" Be as clear and specific as possible so that you can brainstorm "on target" solutions.
• Invention: Choose one of the problems that seems most important to work on and write it down. Be as clear and specific as possible.

Step 4 (Step 3, CPS; Part II, Step 1, Invention)

• CPS: Brainstorm many alternative solutions to the problem you have stated. Observe the rules of brainstorming and get all members of your team involved in recording ideas.
• Invention: Find ideas. List in a few words at least 3 possible ways to resolve the problem.
• Strategies: Use SCAMPER; forced pairings; part-changing; off-the-wall (OTW) thinking; reverse brainstorming; metaphors and analogies.

Step 5 (Step 4, CPS)

• CPS: No doubt you have produced far more alternative solutions than you need. Your problem now is to select your best alternative and make it better. It helps to have some criteria or "yardsticks" for making this decision. List three to five criteria you think are important. Be specific. Choose criteria that will differentiate your alternatives.

Step 6 (Step 5, CPS; Part II, "Evaluation", Invention)

• CPS: On the chart that is provided, list your team's most promising alternative solutions and evaluate them according to each of the criteria listed above. Use the data to decide upon your best solution.
• Invention: Write the positive and negative characteristics of your idea. Write them on the chart that is provided.

Step 7 (Step 6, CPS; Part II, Step 3, Invention)

• CPS: Restate the one best idea chosen to solve the original problem, improving it if possible.
• Strategy: you might combine two or more solutions into a new one, or your best solution might suggest yet another
• better one.
• Now list the different things that might be done to carry out this solution.
• Strategy: Use the "Action Plan" questions to guide your thinking.
• Invention: Write the idea that you think is best. Elaborate the details. Imagine how your design would work and be sure all the details are clear. Decide on your parts, materials and shapes.

Step 8 (Step 7, CPS)

• CPS: Develop a ten-minute presentation to persuade others to "buy"/fund your solution! Use the chart that is provided to articulate your thinking.

(Original page by Mary Frangie)