encourages, on the one hand, fundamental problem-analysis and, on the other hand, the alienation of the original problem through the creation of analogies. It is thus possible for new and surprising solutions to emerge. As an invention tool, Synectics invented a technique called "springboarding" for getting creative beginning ideas. For the development of beginning ideas, the method incorporates brainstorming and deepens and widens it with metaphor; it also adds an important evaluation process for Idea Development, which takes embryonic new ideas that are attractive but not yet feasible and builds them into new courses of action which have the commitment of the people who will implement them. Synectics is more demanding of the subject than brainstorming, as the steps involved imply that the process is more complicated and requires more time and effort. The success of the Synectics methodology depends highly on the skill of a trained facilitator. Books The Practice of Creativity: A Manual for Dynamic Group Problem-Solving. George M. Prince, 2012, Vermont: Echo Point Books & Media, LLC, 0-9638-7848-4 The Practice of Creativity by George Prince 1970 Synectics: The Development of Creative Capacity by W. J. J. Gordon, London, Collier-MacMillan, 1961 Design Synectics: Stimulating Creativity in Design by Nicholas Roukes, Published by Davis Publications, 1988 The Innovators Handbook by Vincent Nolan 1989 Creativity Inc.: Building an Inventive Organization by Jeff Mauzy and Richard Harriman 2003 Imagine That! by Vincent Nolan and Connie Williams, Publishers Graphics, LLC, 2010 See also List of thought processes References External links George Prince website "Thoughts on Creativity" Synecticsworld's Founders page on George M. Prince and Bill Gordon Creativity Problem solving