Brainstorming: How to Generate Explosive Ideas

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Brainstorming techniques are a great way to break creative deadlock and come up with a non-standard problem solution.

The idea behind brainstorming is not for the participants to come up with only great innovative ideas. The purpose of this technique is to generate a multitude, a huge multitude of absolutely any ideas. Not final decisions. Ideas, on the other hand, can be the key to solving a particular problem.

The advantage of the technique is also the participation of several people in this process. The more participants, the more interesting ideas.

Applying a brainstorming technique requires careful planning. Then it will bring significant results.

Before brainstorming

Prepare the space

It is very important that the room has the right energy. Hang a board or flipchart in the room to make it clear. The room should be closed so that no one can disrupt the conversation.

Tune in to the discussion

If a person is used to working alone, it will be difficult for him to adapt and express his opinion in a group. Therefore, the facilitator should apply some techniques so that everyone can get rid of the anxiety and find the right attitude.

For example, the "Knife, Child and Angry Cat" technique. The participants are scattered around the room. One at a time, they pass an imaginary knife to a friend, throwing it in ninja style. Then the participants pass the child, depicting sounds characteristic of him. And at the end - an evil mad cat. You need to get used to the role and behave as if this is all happening in reality. The participant must look directly into the eyes of the person to whom he is transmitting something.

Set a goal

Participants must clearly understand what purpose they are pursuing. The host is responsible for this. His job is to guide them and oversee the entire process.

Set a time frame

The leader monitors the progress of time and the process of the assault. Allocate 15–20 minutes to discuss each issue. You can also designate an end goal. For example, generate 100 ideas in 20 minutes. This will serve as additional motivation for the participants.

During a brainstorming session

Always say yes

The leader should not get stuck on his own point of view and be selective in the proposed ideas. A good presenter is open to everything new, unusual and even crazy. So the participants will be able to come up with even more interesting things.

Stick to the topic

During a brainstorming session, the atmosphere can be heated to the limit. Therefore, it is very easy, as they say, to go to the wrong steppe. The facilitator must ensure that this does not happen.

Write down all ideas

This can be done either by the presenter or by the participants themselves. In the second case, participants are given pens and notes. Or each of them in turn goes to the blackboard, speaks and briefly writes down their idea.

After brainstorming

Sort ideas

If all goes well, you will have many ideas written down after the assault. Including funny, frightening and crazy. Don't rush to get rid of them. Sometimes these are the ideas that are brilliant.

Participants must distribute ideas themselves according to certain criteria. The easiest way is to use a highlighter. This will help break ideas down into groups.

Develop a strategy based on these ideas

In each group, choose the best ideas. Remember that "best" does not mean "easiest". List these ideas on a separate list. Then work through them. Think about how you can use them to solve the problem.