Tactics quick help

		Introduction to Interactive Tactics (short help)
Background		The Interactive Tactics area maximises learning by letting you try out tactics (or techniques) on line on your own challenges. Each tactic is selected from the drop down menus above - OnYour Marks, Get Set, Go and Finish. Click these titles and see what's there but don't select an exercise just yet. These represent the four phases of a complete problem solving process and can be used in sequence from left to right or just singly. When you entered data into a tactic it is stored in a database and can be seen using the View dropdown. I have added some demo data - have a look (BACK button returns) here and clear it here. It will clear automatically once you have picked a new challenge.
Control buttons		On the left you have 4 small clickable buttons These are used when you have selected a tactic. Theory explains the rationale behind a particular tactic. Click the button after entering a tactic, using View or whilst using PICK. Clear - clears the input box Pick - lets you select/rank something from the database Add - moves your input into the database The 3 right buttons provide Support, detailed Help and let you leave this area. Support gives details of the underlying principles, precepts behind tactics as well as models and practical help. When in Support click on the Contents icon.
Basic technique		The basic technique is simple: select the tactic via the dropdowns use the tactic, according to the instructions given. Look for the step button. NOTE: Each input should be on a new line. click Add button to save data inputted to the data bank click Pick button to select data or rank it in some way. select the next tactic, etc. Notice that you use Add and Pick for each tactic. This is the basic building block of the creative process. BUG:Note that the dropdowns only react to a change. With some browsers they may appear stuck. If so, select the top phase title ie Go!, then reselect the tactic you wanted.
Example 1		Say you wanted to generate challenges and select one for further work, you would: select OnyourMarks, Challenges Follow instructions (use blue arrow) and type data (with returns) into the response box click Add button click Pick button - you will be asked to select one challenge. It will clear all old data. You can now use this challenge with the next tactic and set Goals for this challenge and so on.
Example 2		Say you wanted to generate ideas for this challenges and then set some criteria and rate each idea against it, you would: select Go! Brainstorm, select Storm and type data into the response box (set quota, time) click Add button click Pick button to split out crazy ideas. Select Go!, Set criteria and type in selection criteria (ie cost, speed) click Add button click Pick to select the criteria to use and weight if required select Go!, Score All and score ideas against criteria select View, Final Score or View 2x2 or View report This seems long winded, but in real life you would follow the same process.
Don't forget the other areas		Often this part of the programme is the only one considered to enhance creativity and Innovation. It is the most visible. Hopefully you have tried the other elements before reaching this area. Tactics only work when your mental muscles are tuned and you have identified and made contingency plans for the mental hurdles you will meet.
Points to remember		If you leave Interactive tactics your data is LOST. HTML does not allow you to save data on your PC. As I do not have a remote computer to save your session you will lose your data once you leave Interactive tactics. In future this needs addressing. This Help and more detailed help is under Help - top right. Good Luck! © 1998-2002 David M Weeks. All rights reserved.