RSVP Cycles (Retrieval, Variation, Selection, and Preservation) is a comprehensive framework for understanding and nurturing creativity and innovation, highlighting the iterative nature of the creative process and the role of external factors and collaboration in supporting creative endeavors. It consists of 4 stages;

Retrieval: In the first stage, individuals draw from their existing knowledge and experiences to retrieve relevant information. This can involve recalling past experiences, researching, or accessing existing knowledge and ideas.

Variation: During the variation stage, individuals generate new ideas by modifying or combining the retrieved information. This process involves creativity and divergent thinking, where a wide range of possibilities is explored.

Selection: In the selection stage, individuals evaluate the generated ideas and select the most promising ones. This involves convergent thinking and critical analysis to identify ideas with the most potential.

Preservation: The preservation stage involves documenting and storing the selected ideas to ensure they are not lost. This can include recording ideas, creating prototypes, or formalizing concepts for future development.

The book emphasizes the importance of the external environment in facilitating creativity. Creative individuals often work in environments that support and encourage the RSVP Cycles. The authors highlight the collaborative aspect of creativity, emphasizing that interactions with others can enrich and refine the ideas generated in the RSVP Cycles. Group dynamics, feedback, and social networks play a crucial role in creative processes.

Harrison and Kuhn suggest that by understanding the RSVP Cycles, individuals and organizations can foster creativity and innovation more effectively. They propose strategies for managing and optimizing the creative process in both personal and professional settings.