Brainstorming

Share/Comment
	Deli.cio.us		Digg
	Feedback		EMail

Brainstorming is a technique to systematically generate ideas usually to handle a challenging situation, from a group of people by nurturing free-thinking. Some of the right challenges to address using brainstorming are:

1. Problem solving
2. New design or new product development
3. Research & development
4. Project management

Brainstorming session must be orchestrated by a facilitator. The number of participants in a session must be limited to a manageable number - typically between 5 and 15. There are few rules for a successful brainstorming, which should be enforced by the facilitator. These rules are listed below.

1. Focus on generating a large number of ideas
2. Active involvement of every participant in the process
3. Encourage out-of-the-box thinking and creativity
4. Promote criticism free environment - encourage all types of ideas including wild or seemingly ridiculous ideas while keeping the purpose of the brainstorming in mind
5. Combine ideas to create newer ideas
6. Setup a reasonable time limit based on the challenge in hand

How to conduct brainstorming?

1. Select and block a (lively) room free from interruptions and distractions for brainstorming.
2. Identify and invite the participants. The invite must clearly state the purpose of brainstorming.
3. Before the start, ensure that the room is equipped with basic essentials like blackboard, flipcharts, pens, and large size post-its, etc.
4. Initiate the session by clearly explaining the purpose, possibly already written and highlighted on the board. Also set the basic rules for the session. Set some time towards the end of the session for organizing the ideas generated.
5. Invite people to come up with ideas. One of the participants may be designated to record each idea or alternatively each participant may be requested to pen his/her idea on a post-it to speed up the process. Maintain a lively environment, monotony must be avoided at every cost.
6. Ensure that the rules of a successful brainstorming are followed properly.
7. Towards the end, focus on organizing ideas and eliminating the duplicate ones. If the number of ideas generated is sufficiently large, affinity diagram may be used to organize the ideas.
8. Close the session with a note collectively appreciating each ones contribution.

Share/Comment
	Deli.cio.us		Digg
	Feedback		EMail

Armed with this idea bank, we are now ready to analyze and apply them.