The purpose of Challenge Mapping is to uncover and clarify the different problems and subproblems lurking within a complex ill-defined situation, and to understand how they relate to one another; the Challenge Mapping Process also enables organizations significantly improve the success rate of new projects.

The Basadur Profile is a proven assessment tool validated by research that provides insight into how people and teams prefer to think during the innovation process.

Min Basadur, professor emeritus of McMaster’s DeGroote School of Business, is the author of several reference texts and practical guides in the field of applied creativity. A summary of each of these books is available.

Simplexity is an innovative thinking & creative problem-solving process that separates innovation into clearly-defined steps, and can be defined as a framework that combines knowledge, process, skills needed to enable successful innovation.

The InQ survey, or Innovation Quotient, assesses the quality of your team’s problem-solving and innovation and measures attitudes, skills, and behaviours, assigning a rating on one of 5 levels to indicate where improvements can be made.

Telescoping is a three-stage tool used in the evaluation step of the two-step ideation-evaluation process of creative problem-solving, applied after a group has completed generating solution ideas.

One of the most widely used research and clinical tools for measuring the severity of alcohol dependence and assessing clients with alcohol problems.

A novel and easy to administer self-report measure of illness awareness in alcohol misuse.

BASIS is a novel and easy to administer measure of insight into illness scale in metabolic syndrome, as related to hypertension.

The DAST-10 provides a brief, simple, practical, but valid method for identifying individuals who are abusing psychoactive drugs. This instrument takes approximately 5 minutes to administer and may be given in either a self-report or in a structured interview format.

Similar to the DAST-10 but with its additional 10 items provides a broader assessment of content areas intended for clinical assessment and research purposes.

DAS is a novel and easy to administer measure of insight into illness scale for use in diabetes.

The Drug-Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ), a companion tool to the IDTS, is easy to use and allows substance use counsellors and researchers to identify a client’s self-efficacy in relation to 50 drinking situations.

The Drug-Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ), a companion tool to the IDTS, allows substance use counsellors and researchers to identify a client’s self-efficacy in relation to 50 drug-taking situations.

A clinical tool that allows substance use counsellors and researchers to assess the situations in which a client has used alcohol over the last year. The IDTS can be used in both individual and group counselling programs with clients whose substance use problems range from mild to severe.

A clinical tool that allows substance use counsellors and researchers to assess the situations in which a client has used alcohol over the last year. The IDTS generates a separate profile of risk situations for each substance and can be used in both individual and group counselling programs with clients whose substance use problems range from mild to severe.

Novel and easy to administer self-report measure of illness awareness in substance misuse that can be easily tailored to any substance. The measure assesses the core domains of illness awareness, including general illness awareness, accurate attribution of symptoms, awareness of the need for treatment, and awareness of negative consequences. With 10-point Likert scales for each item, this scale has the capacity to detect small changes in illness awareness.

OASIS is a novel and easy to administer measure of insight into illness scale in obesity and related syndromes.

A novel and easy to administer self-report measure of illness awareness in problem and pathological gambling.

A novel and easy to administer self-report measure of illness awareness in substance misuse that can be easily tailored to any substance.

An easy to administer insight scale with both self-report and clinician-rated versions that would be sensitive to small changes in insight over brief periods of time, and assess the multidimensionality of insight.

The PDAI is a validated index that quantifies severity and important changes in perianal disease.

The PSST is validated screening tool to identify women who suffer with Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD).

GASP extracts and converts the data from the output files generated by various GC/MS instruments. The software aligns peaks from multiple gas chromatograms enabling the user to detect statistically significant differences between levels of compounds present in the specimen under study. Hey Paul from Sacramento, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The PCOSQ is a validated questionnaire measuring concerns in women with polycystic ovary syndrome including emotions, body hair, weight, infertility, and menstrual problems.

The GRCQ is a validated questionnaire that provides a global measure to confirm, interpret and generalize findings of health-related quality of life instruments or outcomes. It interprets questionnaire scores with patients participating in controlled trials and in planning new trials.

The CIC-SOP are a compilation of processes and procedures regarding the conduct of clinical trials. They are an indication of the level of professionalism at each CIC site. SOPs are critical to quality performance and the ethical conduct of clinical trials.

The Early Development Instrument (EDI) is a teacher-completed questionnaire assessing children's developmental health from ages 3.5 to 6.5 across five domains, providing population-level insights into early childhood development.

The CHEQOL is a validated self-report and parent proxy respondent for health-related quality of life. CHEQOL measures how children 8 years and older with epilepsy feel in relationships and how they are affected by the disease.

PTeR provides modular, online psychotherapy training for mental health professionals with clinical vignettes, seminars, virtual therapist scenarios, and self-assessment tools to support evidence-based learning.

A miniaturized, pumpless artificial placenta device that passively supports gas exchange in newborns with severe respiratory failure.

A base isolation technology to mitigate the effects of earthquakes on low-rise buildings in high seismic regions.

A unique inhibitor of metallo-beta-lactamases that can be used to re-sensitize antibiotic resistant bacteria to beta-lactam antibiotics.

The PEM-CY is a measurement tool designed to help parents, service providers, and researchers better understand the participation of children and youth ages 5-17 in home, school, and community settings.

The PEFWQ is intended to determine key attributes that influence the professionalism of nurses in their practice environments. It is designed to identify areas of concern to nurses and provide a starting point for discussion.

Measuring coagulation activation, including thrombin generation, is useful in a number of clinical conditions. McMaster researchers have developed a novel method and class of substrates to do this using whole blood, for instance from a finger prick, using conventional fluorescence equipment.

The QUEST is a validated outcome measure designed to evaluate movement patterns and hand function in children 18 months to 8 years with cerebral palsy.

PEGS is a measure that enables children to rate their performance on everyday tasks to identify goals for intervention.

The QPCQ is a validated tool to be completed by women after 36 weeks of pregnancy or within the first 6 weeks postpartum. It can be used by researchers to compare quality of prenatal care across regions, populations and service delivery models, and to examine relationships between quality of care and a variety of maternal and infant health outcomes.

Identification of a novel panel of biomarkers from blood and sweat samples to improve early screening, diagnosis, and treatment monitoring for cystic fibrosis.

The MPOC is a questionnaire for parents and service providers, to better understand and measure the actual experiences and behaviours of those who work with children with long-term health or developmental problems and their families.

Novel biomarkers for the assessment of the risk for development of CV

A bioinformatic database of resistance genes, their products and associated phenotypes. Resource for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in healthcare, agriculture and environmental settings.

Dronedarone is an FDA-approved drug that has shown anti-cancer activity in breast cancer cell cultures, sphere forming assays and in mice.

These plant-derived natural products offer a safe, yet effective, therapeutic treatment of PKU via nutritional supplementation.

The CLEFT-Q is a validated patient reported outcome instrument designed for patients with cleft lip and/or palate aged 8-29 years measuring facial appearance, facial function, and quality of life.

The Transition-Q measures self-management skills in healthcare in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years across a broad range of chronic health conditions.

The GMFM is an observational instrument validated to measure change in gross motor function over time in children with cerebral palsy.

The GMFCS is a 5-level classification system that describes the gross motor function of children and youth with cerebral palsy on the basis of their self-initiated movement with particular emphasis on sitting, walking, and wheeled mobility.

Using important biochemical parameters to accurately determine the risk of an acute cardiovascular event or death with easy interpretation.

A robust method for preparing a thermally stable adenovirus formulation, extending the possible applications of adenovirus-based vectors as thermally stable vaccines.

The BODY-Q is a patient reported outcome instrument designed to evaluate outcomes for adult patients who are obese, undergo weight loss through diets, exercises, and/or bariatric surgery.

WAPPS is a web application that allows health care professionals of registered hemophilia centres to securely input post-infusion plasma level measurements of factor concentrates, returning individual pharmacokinetic (PK) estimates.

The YC-PEM is a measurement tool designed to help parents, service providers, and researchers evaluate the level of participation and quality of environment of children ages 0-5 in home, daycare/preschool and community settings.

A platform technology with hydrogels that can sustain and localize antibody/protein release, relevant to a wide variety of clinical applications.

Brush amphiphilic block copolymers provide tunable, self-assembling nanoparticles for drug delivery and biomedical use, offering enhanced functionalization, temperature responsiveness, and versatile biomedical performance.

The EAR-Q is a patient reported outcome instrument designed for patients with ear conditions, measuring the appearance of their ears and postoperative adverse effects.

The FACE-Q is a patient-reported outcome instrument for patients with conditions associated with facial difference aged 6 to 29 years.

A mobile psychiatry handbook containing evidence-supported approaches to psychiatric emergencies, substance intoxication and withdrawal, and various psychiatric symptoms.

The MHAP is designed to provide a structured framework to assess handwriting in school-aged children, and to facilitate clinical decision-making.

Identifies Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) as a novel biomarker to rapidly and reliably assess the efficacy of metformin treatment, particularly in cardiovascular and metabolic disease contexts.

Genetically engineered mouse models developed by Dr. William J. Muller offer powerful tools for studying breast cancer, tumorigenesis, and testing therapies, now available through Jackson Labs.

A predictive algorithm for assessing personalized sepsis-related mortality risk profiles of septic patients with utility for both clinical trials and patient care.

The antibiotic resistance platform (ARP) can be used for both the identification of antibiotic adjuvants and for antibiotic dereplication.

A mobile clinical tool designed to evaluate gross motor function changes in children with cerebral palsy.

The MyTransition app aims to help children 12-18 slowly take responsibility for their healthcare and improve communication with physicians.

The FOCUS is a clinical tool designed to evaluate changes in communicative participation in preschool children. Communicative participation is the child’s communication and interaction in “real world” situations at home, school, or in the community.

This assay can test both plasma and citrated whole blood to allow for simple, on-demand usage in hospital labs.

The PPEET is a tool that can be used in a variety of health system organizations to assess those who organize and participate in engagement activities.

A new combination therapy to treat gluten-related disorders, such as celiac disease, via targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway.

A method of coating the tool with a soft metal coating that is capable of melting and functioning as an in-situ liquid lubricant during the machining operation.

The CDS-AYA is a valid screening tool to measure distress and identify cancer survivors that need support.

A mental health literacy training program customized for healthcare workers designed to promote early intervention and support within the workplace for any employee across the organization who may be struggling with mental health issues.

The ACNE-Q is a patient-reported outcome instrument for patients with acne and/or acne scars.

A novel algorithm to detect risk of cardio-toxicity using a combination of easily detectible cardiac biomarkers in the blood.

The SCAR-Q is a patient-reported outcome instrument for patients with surgical, traumatic, and burn scar.

Unique, effective bis-amidine compound adjuvants with low cytotoxicity that are effective at enhancing an antibacterial response against antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria.

Bicarbonate enhances the effectiveness of antibiotics, offering a promising strategy to combat multidrug-resistant infections in both human and veterinary medicine.

A method to significantly reduce the reaction time for oxygen isotope studies of aqueous samples from 24h to less than 1h.

A caregiver report tool that can be used to collect narrative descriptions of a child and family’s strengths and to document concerns to areas of child development.

Novel instrument for evaluating the extent to which the design and conduct of studies measuring MIDs are likely to have protected against misleading estimates.

A mobile screening tool for frailty in older adults that can be completed by their caregivers or by a healthcare professional in a clinical environment.

A novel PEC DNA biosensor method that uses DNA to create a gap between metal and semiconductor nanoparticles.

An ultrasound-triggered cork-shell capsule/particle drug delivery system that can control the release kinetics of therapeutic drugs without causing cellular damage.

Self-healing, fluorescent antibacterial bacteriophage hydrogels for wound healing and environmental applications.

A suite of apps that gathers experiences of mental health service users, family/caregivers and service providers following each appointment.

Non-invasive method and dietary composition for treating obesity and metabolic diseases with better adherence than diets.

A convenient notification system to ensure physicians stay up to date on all new studies, treatment advances and new prognosis methods.

An app to track mood and premenstrual symptoms so users can see if their symptoms are severe enough to bring them to healthcare providers.

A patented, scalable method for producing highly conductive MoS? offers a safer, faster, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional synthesis techniques.

A reliable, non-invasive method for diagnosing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis using urinary biomarkers—offering early detection and improved monitoring in pediatric patients.

Thermo-responsive eyedrops for controlled degradation and sustained drug delivery.

This in situ-gelling nanoparticle network hydrogel can be used for intranasal delivery of drugs to the brain.

A mathematical system that describes how T-cells in the omentum respond when encountering antigens arising from either infection or vaccination of various kinds.

A comprehensive concussion management platform that monitors and evaluates symptoms in real-time.

A screening strategy that utilizes serum biomarkers that differentiate late-stage chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) from early-onset intermittent claudication (IC) for a more accurate diagnosis and risk assessment of peripheral artery disease.

A standardized and simplified way to discuss a child/youth’s social communication abilities.

Differential Single photon avalanche diodes (SPADs).

A cuboid scalable SEC device for high-resolution purification and fast separation.

Novel measure of platelet count fluctuations to improve the diagnosis of patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP).

Nanoscale formation pattern that allows for high-resolution uniform patterns for industrial applications such as semiconductor manufacturing, microsystems, and optoelectronics. This can also be applied to developing optical structures or a potential replacement for deep UV and phase shift masking technologies.

Fully functional, interactive platform designed for streamlining the process of creating randomized trial design, including feedback on trial design, resources for trial design, tools for statistical analysis plans, and support for various trial design protocols.

A unique small molecule can be used in the treatment of DNA and RNA viruses with limited host cell cytotoxicity.

A fast, affordable, and accurate smartphone-based process for determining individualized Head-Related Transfer Functions that is easy to conduct and does not require expensive or specialized equipment.

Apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is activated in response to pro-inflammatory stimuli, reactive oxygen species, and various other cellular stressors helping limit SARS-CoV2 replication and pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

A biomolecule-friendly, high-throughput method to synthesize sprayable phage microgels to control the growth of microorganisms in food products and other biocontrol scenarios.

A novel non-surgical diagnostic biomarker for diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel disease (IBSD) that can distinguish from IBD and normal patients who do not have IBSD, instead of invasive colonoscopies and biopsies.

A high-throughput method for assessing vitamin D status from blood specimens based on direct-infusion tandem mass spectrometry that offers better precision and accuracy that immunoassays.

A transformative method, free of heat and solvents, that allows for the preservation of micro and nanostructure of biologics while inducing substrate wrinkling.

A mobile hemophilia tracker that circumvents the need to log bleeds and treatments on paper manually. Users can also transmit logs to their care team.

A dual surface modification for blood-contacting medical devices that combines anticoagulant and fibrinolytic agents, enhancing the overall response and reducing thrombosis more effectively than single-agent modifications.

An effective thrombolytic agent for the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases.

A unique day-long intervention consisting of 7 hours of psychoeducation delivered in 4 modules by an individual or a pair of facilitators.

The Aggressive Incidents Scale (AIS) is an advanced and user-friendly tool designed to accurately record, monitor, and analyze patient aggression and violence by providing a common language for healthcare professionals.

The Electronic Hamilton Anatomy of Risk Management (eHARM) is a cloud-based risk assessment tool designed to streamline and enhance the process of evaluating and managing violence risk in psychiatric patients.

The Y-PEM was created in response to requests for a tool that was more appropriate for youth and can be completed by youth. The measure covers the entire age range of transitioning to adulthood, ages 12 to 30, and adds a new section to assess the workplace domain.

Tool that uses hierarchical deep neural networks to estimate fluvial flood risk likelihood and level.

A novel tool for full-text screening of papers and systematically evaluating the quality of machine learning research.

A resin-based method to fabricate protein eutectogels that can be used in tissue engineering, packaging, sensors, medical devices, air and water purification, and energy storage.

Scaffold-free cell sheet for tissue construction.

A high throughput, point-of-use platform technology that allows for packaging and stabilization of bacteriophage biobanks.

Knowledge module explores how trauma impacts learning and introduces strategies to cultivate positive learning spaces.

The LIMB-Q is a patient-reported outcome instrument for patients after lower extremity trauma.

The NAIL-Q is a patient-reported outcome instrument for patients with any type of nail condition.

A validated suite of assessment tools designed to measure children’s participation and preferences in leisure and recreational activities, providing insights into engagement, enjoyment, and inclusivity for research, evaluation, and clinical applications.

Phage-loaded injectable hydrogel treatment for osteomyelitis infections.

An assay to measure TXA levels in patient plasma samples, as a simple and rapid method of performing a point-of-care test in clinical settings.

The SKIN-Q is a patient-reported outcome instrument to measure patient satisfaction with skin in the context of minimally invasive aesthetic treatments of the face and body.

A novel method enabling fabrication of high-performance GaAs-based lasters and photodetectors on silicon, enhancing efficiency for data communication and optical interconnects and facilitating the development of advanced multijunction photovoltaic cells, with the potential to improve energy conversion rates for residential and commercial solar power systems.

A prognostic method for determining patient survival and prediction of treatment failure in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).

Platform for fabricating three-dimensional microarrays with ultra-high specificity and sensitivity for detection of disease biomarkers.

The GENDER-Q is a patient-reported outcome instrument that means to precisely measure outcomes of psychological, hormonal and surgical gender-affirming treatments.

A platform for fabricating three-dimensional microarrays with ultra-high specificity and sensitivity for detecting disease biomarkers.

The HAIR-Q is a patient-reported outcome instrument for measuring patient satisfaction with hair appearance.

A validated patient-reported outcome measure designed to reliably assess cough frequency and intensity for use in clinical trials, research, and clinical care of chronic cough patients.

Paired mobile health platforms designed by and for Canadian Public Safety Personnel designed to promote high quality mental health information and provide private, secure links to peer support.

LIMB-Q Kids is a patient-reported outcome instrument developed specifically for children and adolescents with lower limb differences.

A mobile health platform integrating a digital goniometer, a volume-measuring wand, and an app to enable early detection and personalized management of upper extremity impairments (e.g., lymphedema, impaired shoulder range of motion) in breast cancer survivors, improving accessibility and rehabilitation outcomes.

The GM-FR is a family report evaluation tool for children with cerebral palsy. It is based on and adapted from the GMFM, which is a standardized tool used to assess changes in gross motor function in children with CP.

ZT-1a is a novel broad-spectrum antiviral compound that significantly reduces replication of multiple virus families, offering a versatile therapeutic option for preventing and treating diverse viral infections, including COVID-19.

A novel tryptophan-derived therapeutic platform that simultaneously reduces intestinal inflammation and fibrosis, offering IBD patients a versatile and comprehensive potential treatment option.

A five-level classification system that assesses how children with cerebral palsy use their hands in everyday activities to guide therapy and early intervention planning.

The IBDQ is the gold standard in inflammatory bowel disease research. It is a validated tool to measure health-related quality of life in adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s Disease.

The CRQ is a validated instrument used to measure health-related quality of life in patients with chronic airflow limitation. Patients report their dyspnea, fatigue, and emotional function during important daily activities.

The CHQ is a validated tool to measure longitudinal change over time of patients with chronic heart disease or heart failure.