Hi Rick, always enjoy your writing on problem solving and creativity.  I use "an iron clad" process for problem solving (no, this is not an oxymoron).  The big "problem" with thinking about a problem is that you tend to get stuck within it and cannot see past it.  While your formula encourages people to get past the problem itself, it does help to have a reliable process to walk you, and ideally others through it - through collaborative conversations.

This doesn't come naturally to many leaders and does take practice.  The real core of this process is the "problem definition" where it is acknowledged that the problem you think you have is usually not the real problem that must be solved.  By asking key crafted questions around the initial problem, you will uncover the "real" problem to be solved. You then can apply your formula and guarantee new breakthrough solutions.  Give it a try and connect with me if you wish to learn more!

Bryan Huck