Creativity and innovation are essential capabilities in modern workplaces where employees are expected to solve problems, adapt to change, identify improvements, and contribute new ideas to organisational success. Creativity is the ability to generate original ideas, while innovation is the process of applying those ideas to create value. This course helps learners understand how creativity and innovation operate in practical workplace settings and teaches them how to use tools and techniques to strengthen creative thinking, improve collaboration, and build innovative solutions to work challenges.

The course introduces learners to the foundations of creative thinking, including divergent and convergent thinking, brainstorming techniques, reframing problems, and recognising opportunities for improvement. Learners will explore common barriers to creativity, such as routine thinking, fear of failure, or limited perspectives. They will learn how to overcome these barriers through structured thinking methods, reflective practice, and supportive communication.

After completing this course, learners will be able to:

1. Define creativity and innovation in workplace contexts

Learners will understand the meaning of creativity as the ability to think differently and generate new ideas. They will understand innovation as applying those ideas to improve workplace processes, solve problems, or create value. They will recognise why creativity and innovation are essential in a rapidly changing work environment.

2. Apply creative thinking techniques to generate new ideas

Learners will use methods such as brainstorming, mind mapping, reframing, and divergent thinking to explore ideas. They will understand how to expand thinking beyond routine approaches and generate multiple possible solutions to work challenges.

3. Recognise and overcome barriers to creativity

Learners will identify common barriers such as fear of making mistakes, lack of confidence, limited perspectives, or organisational constraints. They will learn strategies to reduce barriers through reflection, open communication, and supportive work habits.

4. Evaluate ideas using structured decision making techniques

Learners will be able to assess ideas for feasibility, practicality, risk, benefit, and alignment with workplace goals. They will use simple evaluation tools to select the strongest ideas for implementation.

5. Collaborate with others to refine creative ideas

Learners will understand the importance of teamwork, open discussion, and shared problem solving in the innovation process. They will learn how collective thinking strengthens ideas and increases their chance of success.

6. Apply innovation skills to workplace improvements

Learners will use innovation methods to turn ideas into practical actions. This includes planning small changes, testing solutions, gathering feedback, making adjustments, and communicating ideas clearly to others.

7. Strengthen workplace environments that support creativity

Learners will be able to identify behaviours and workplace conditions that encourage creativity such as psychological safety, permission to experiment, constructive feedback, and open minded collaboration. They will understand how to contribute positively to an innovative culture.

8. Reflect on creative problem solving processes for continuous improvement

Learners will develop reflective habits that help them evaluate what worked well, what did not work, and what could be improved. They will apply reflection to future tasks to strengthen creativity and innovation skills over time.