Negative brainstorming

Finding solutions

2-16

30 min.

Complexity Negative brainstorming is a way to get the participants to think outside the box and come up with other solutions than those they usually resort to.

Steps 1. The participants are divided into groups of two. 2. Distribute the template, preferably in A3 format. 3. The facilitator asks the groups to write the problem formulation that the participants have agreed on or that the facilitator has decided. 4. The participants must reformulate the problem formulation into something negative in field 2. For example, the problem becomes “We are too disorderly?” becomes “How can we create even more disorder?” 5. The groups brainstorm on ideas for how we can create even more disorder. List the ideas in field 3. 6. The groups must now take each of the negative ideas and turn them into a positive version of the same idea. List the ideas in field 4. 7. Do a round to the groups where they can present their process and results.

Tips You must be aware that some of the solutions can be a little silly, and you must therefore ensure to add a subsequent activity in which the proposals are reduced. And the participants should be informed about this so that they do not hold back. In this activity, they must be free to let their ideas flourish.

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13 • Tools 5 : fIndIng solutIon Ideas

1. Problem formulation

We do not cooperate enough How can we cooperate even less?

4. Positive ideas

We can have more joint meetings We can praise those from Dept. Q We can offer to help the others

3. Negative ideas

We can stop holding joint meetings We can bully those from Dept. Q We can refuse to help others

Here is an example of a negative brainstorm from case 2

13 • Tools 5 : fIndIng solutIon Ideas

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