1. Why is a well-defined subject essential for creativity?

1.1 First reason: problems are often posed in terms of solutions.

If you don't question the original wording, you run the risk of getting it "wrong":

• by locking yourself into a path that can be a dead end;

• by dealing with only one part of the issue for lack of a global vision;

• spending a lot of energy looking for ideas in one direction when there are other, more efficient or simpler ways;

• and above all, you run the risk of not meeting the real need.

Consider this example from a manufacturer of aeronautical parts:

"We stick labels on our parts to identify them. But during handling,...