Brainstorming is technique used to generate a large number of ideas quickly.
There are a variety of methods that can be used and a number of basic concepts to follow.
. Each member of a group, may be invited to put forward ideas concerning a problem under consideration.
. Wild ideas are safe to offer, as criticism or ridicule is not permitted.
. The people taking part do so with equal status.
. The main objective is to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm and originality.
. All ideas offered are recorded for subsequent analysis.
The process is continued until all the conceivable causes have been included.
A useful variant on the technique is negative brainstorming. Here the group brainstorms all the things that would need to be done to ensure a negative outcome. Having identified the potential road blocks, it is easier to dismantle them.
Brainstorm (Memory Jogger Methods)
Unstructured Brainstorming
1. Visual – draw a picture of a situation
2. Free word association – unusual word connections are listed on a large piece of paper (use the question if the problem was an animal what would it be) i.e. dog, cat, mouse, chase, bite, infection, disease, doctor, bill etc
3. 6-3-5 method 6 people write down 3 ideas in 5 minutes on how to solve a problem, then passes the sheet to the next person who build 3 more ideas based on the three they have received. Continue until each 6 sheets have 18 ideas (6 people = 6 rotations x 3 ideas = 18 ideas)
Structured
Question is agreed stated and written down. Understanding must be confirmed (get a number of participants to rephrase).
Each member takes turns to present ideas (no criticism is allowed).
Write ideas down in the exact words of the speaker
Keep going around until each member passes and no more ideas are forthcoming.
Review list and discard duplicates
If you would like more information on brainstorming there is more here: brainstorming
3 comments
Tweets that mention Brainstorming: A Quick Guide and Sample Brainstorming Method » orglearn.org -- Topsy.com says:
December 1, 2010 at 9:22 pm (UTC 0)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by rictownsend, rictownsend, Andy Whittle, orglearn, Imagination Club and others. Imagination Club said: RT @rictownsend: A little more on @brainstorming > http://bit.ly/g1ahQE < generating new solutions http://www.orglearn.org [...]
orglearn Career Success Recent Articles | Blank Resume Form for Students says:
December 9, 2010 at 5:18 am (UTC 0)
[...] brainstorming methods [...]
Moriene says:
July 18, 2011 at 11:50 am (UTC 0)
Group brainstorming methods are more effective as compared to an individual brainstorming session. With groups more and more ideas are forthcoming and people show more creativity in groups therefore the chances of improvisation of ideas is greater when groups are engaged in the process. Moriene thoughtful-self-improvement dot com