6.8.8 Control

Evaluating results is the final, and often overlooked, stage in the creative problem‑solving process. The purpose of the evaluation is to determine the extent to which the actions you took have solved the problem. This stage feeds directly into the environmental analysis stage, which begins a new cycle of creative problem solving. It is important at this stage to be able to recognize deficiencies in your own solutions, if necessary. If you can admit to making mistakes or changing your mind without feeling defensive or embarrassed, you have acquired the skill of open-minded adaptation. This often requires objective thinking, intellectual courage, and self‑confidence. At Federal Express, group decisions based on CPS are part of the everyday routine, and so is control. For example, when one team solved problems related to sorting packages, they were required to track results and make further improvements.