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�Leslie Owen Wilson 2004,  restrictions on usage

Using creativity in the workplace - criteria to help you evaluate creative ideas.

Many of the barriers to positive change in schools have to do with overcoming historic institutional mindsets. But you have to remember that in the real world of work and business, especially in large institutions, much of the assessment of creative proposals and ideas concerns applicability, usability, practicality, and cost of implementation. Not the warmest or most aesthetic or receptive criteria for creative production, but if you know these barriers exist, then you can be prepared. It might be helpful to use the following criteria to assess the value of your ideas or solutions so that you can anticipate barriers and objections to you plan, creation, or implementation suggestion. Weigh both the positives and the negatives and then "go for it."

1. Does it prevent waste/conserve materials?

2. Will it bring about desired improvement or results?

3. Will it be acceptable?

4. Will it "explode in" people's minds?

5. Is it easy to understand/explain? Or, will you need create some short of visual schema or a useful metaphor to explain your idea to others?

6. Is it an improvement over what is presently done or used?

7. Is it financially feasible?

8. Is it workable/practical?

9. Is it only "cosmetic" and a "cover up" of the problem, or will it correct the difficulty or issue of concern?

10. Will it be short-term or lasting in effect?

11. Will it cause a minimum of disruption? If it will cause disruption, can you make plans to work around that, or make plans to minimize the inconvenience to others?

12. Is it ethically sound?

13. Will it produce results in the future?

14. Is it compatible with existing knowledge/technology?

15. Will there be administrative backlash?

16. Will it move things in the direction of a solution?

17. Will it take others to implement? How can you best mobilize those persons involved? Or, does it take too many people to implement practically?

18. Is it a panacea for all problems, or does it just solve limited problems?

19. Is it a deterrent instead of a cure?

20. How much talent, time and money will it require, and it that feasible?

21. Does it have potential for sustained success or positive change?

22. Will it generate more problems than it solves? 

(Adapted and expanded from an older worksheet  -- original source unknown -- sorry.)