Brainstorm
Step # 1 Define a question for which there is a real need
Find a brainstorming question for which there’s a real need to find answers and a realistic possibility to change things. http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/2010/02/brainstorming-breakthroughs-require.html
Further inspiration https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-can-we-understand-the-problem-1531110
Step # 2 Find a neutral person to moderate the process
Brainstorm facilitating is a service. It is supposed to be a selfless act that enables others to arrive at their own solutions. http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2010/08/einstein_brains_1.shtml
A great facilitator nurtures the conversation in its early stages, steps out of the way as the ideas start to flow, jumps in when energy starts to disappear. http://aneyewitness.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/eureka/
The client should not be in charge of running the meeting. They must keep their heads in the content and not worry about or unduly influence the process. https://hbr.org/2012/07/yes-you-can-brainstorm-without/
Step # 3 Find an inspiring meeting place
Sources http://answergarden.ch/ https://www.atizo.com/starter/ http://www.partizo.com/ http://popplet.com/
3 advantages of Internet brainstorming Advantage # 1: On the Internet, people who talk a lot don’t disturb others, because they are not heard.
Advantage # 2: On some brainstorming sites, for example http://answergarden.ch/, ideas are anonymously communicated. Thereby, less dominant people can easier communicate their ideas. Advantage # 3: On some brainstorming sites, for example http://www.brainfloor.com/, people are not exposed to each others’ ideas in the idea generation phase. That may increase the diversity of ideas. https://hbr.org/2015/04/why-brainstorming-works-better-online
http://www.imagebase.net/Nature/Deer-071-copy http://www.destination-innovation.com/articles/top-tips-for-a-great-brainstorm-session/
Try an unusual location, for example a zoo.
Step # 4 Invite both external and internal participants to increase diversity
The broader the mix of participants, the more interesting the ideas are likely to be.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/management/article6985219.ece
Pick people who can answer the question you’re asking.
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/strategy/seven_steps_to_better_brainstorming
Aspects of diversity Skill diversity. Thinking style diversity. Experience diversity. Age diversity. Nationality diversity. Gender diversity. https://hbr.org/2009/05/how-to-lead-better-brainstormi/ http://www.heidrick.com/~/media/Publications%20and%20Reports/HS_EuropeanCorpGovRpt2011.pdf
What about including external people?
http://designshack.co.uk/articles/inspiration/10-tips-for-effective-creative-brainstorming http://www.destination-innovation.com/articles/top-tips-for-a-great-brainstorm-session/
Research shows that bringing together individuals with diverse backgrounds can enhance the flow of ideas, making people more open to new information and finding ways to integrate it into solutions. http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-discipline-of-creativity/
Ask participants to independently prepare ideas before the brainstorm. That helps introverted people get the quietness they need to develop good ideas. http://www.bnet.com/article/the-right-way-to-brainstorm/68480 http://www.slideshare.net/columnfive/10-tips-for-a-successful-group-brainstorm http://www.fastcompany.com/886945/10-rules-effective-brainstorming#2
Step # 5 Communicate values of the brainstorm
The power of group brainstorming comes from creating a safe place where people with different ideas can share, blend, and extend their diverse knowledge. http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jul2006/id20060726_517774.htm
No criticism. No negative judgments. No distractions. http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2011/01/most_people_thi.shtml http://www.triz-journal.com/content/c080901a.asp http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/wordpress/2010/12/10-steps-to-successful-brainstorming/ http://www.fastcompany.com/886945/10-rules-effective-brainstorming#3 Pittampalli, Al: Read this before our next meeting, location 405.
Participants are encouraged to come up with crazy ideas. stupid ideas. wild ideas. http://innovtoday.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/lead-brainstorming-by-taking-the-ridicule/ http://www.bnet.com/article/the-right-way-to-brainstorm/68480 http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2010/07/post_12.shtml http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/jul2006/id20060726_517774.htm
Further inspiration https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Questions-to-discover-your-values-1329394
Step # 6 Define the goal of the brainstorm
Develop as many ideas as possible. http://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/archives/2010/07/post_12.shtml http://www.destination-innovation.com/articles/top-tips-for-a-great-brainstorm-session/ http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2010/12/19/10-steps-to-successful-brainstorming/ http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/how-to-brainstorm-9-easy-rules.html http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/11/how-to-run-a-brainstorming-session.html
The goal of this brainstorming session is for you to come up with at least that answer the question.
X ideas
http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2010/06/28/ideation-dos-and-donts/
Step # 7 Develop ideas
Brainstorming should begin with
individuals working alone first. Michael J. Gelb: Creativity on demand, page 178.
As ideas, participants can also bring in
products / materials / things they find relevant. http://www.fastcompany.com/886945/10-rules-effective-brainstorming#8
During the first 5 to 10 minutes, ask participants to individually write down as many ideas as they can, for example on sticky notes. Thereby, introverts maximize their contribution. http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-discipline-of-creativity/
http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/this-simple-trick-can-make-you-more-creative.html
Divide people up in teams of about 5 people – each led by a facilitator.
http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-discipline-of-creativity/
Get people standing and active. Studies show that during walks, creative output can increase as much as 60%. https://hbr.org/2015/11/stop-calling-every-conversation-a-meeting http://www.inc.com/laura-montini/study-provides-a-great-reason-to-go-for-a-walking-meeting.html-
https://realtimeboard.com/blog/10-creative-techniques-you-should-try-in-realtimeboard/#.VBRI_fmSx9A
The moderator encourages participants to build on ideas of each other. Sources http://www.bnet.com/article/the-right-way-to-brainstorm/68480 http://www.triz-journal.com/content/c080901a.asp http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/wordpress/2010/12/10-steps-to-successful-brainstorming/ http://www.slideshare.net/columnfive/10-tips-for-a-successful-group-brainstorm
Studies show that the most revolutionary solutions spring from group discussion of ideas hatched in isolation. http://thebuildnetwork.com/team-building/brainstorming-individual-group/
After having done some minutes of brainstorming, the moderator could interrupt participants and ask them to do something completely unrelated to brainstorming, for example take a walk around the building. Then, the moderator gives participants some more time in a room to focus on developing more ideas. http://www.inc.com/christina-desmarais/this-simple-trick-can-make-you-more-creative.html
Step # 8 Categorize ideas
The moderator - or someone else categorizes the ideas that have been developed.
Step # 9 Select great ideas
Each person has 5 ticks to spend on selecting 1 or more great ideas.
http://www.destination-innovation.com/articles/how-to-evaluate-ideas/
http://www.imagebase.net/Concept/imagebase4_02
4 criteria to use when selecting great ideas 1. Which ideas are the most valuable for users? 2. Which ideas can be quickly implemented? 3. Which ideas involve the lowest costs? 4. Which ideas are the most inspiring? http://business.financialpost.com/2013/10/07/make-your-brainstorming-better-with-this-technique/ http://www.business2community.com/strategy/top-tips-great-brainstorm-session-0984469
Step # 10 Each participant chooses ideas he/she wants to try out
Brainstorming is the start of something. Each participant decides what to do next with one or more ideas. http://www.fastcompany.com/886945/10-rules-effective-brainstorming#7
Further inspiration https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brainstorming-the-disney-method-1449101 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brainstorming-the-nominal-method-2141314 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Brainstorming-the-SCAMPER-method-1452356 https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Six-thinking-hats-1455136