BRAINSTORMING TECHNIQUES

Brainstorming is a great technique to identify issues, solutions

and opportunities. It can help organizations challenge their
thinking, create openings for doing things differently, and get
different (hopefully better) results.
We have identified 5 of the most popular brainstorming
techniques. While they vary in form, they are all designed to
generate as many ideas as possible around a topic within a
specific amount of time (usually 20 -30 minutes).
To choose the best brainstorming model you need to clear about
your topic, objectives and the nature of the participants.
In brainstorming we are interested in quantity, not quality.
Groups tend to self-censor their comments unless they are
reminded of this goal. Remind your group of this goal so they
don't self-censor. Tell the group that focusing on quantity will
produce jewels and junk but there is no need to be concerned
about the distinction at this point. It will be sorted out later.
1. Free-Form Brainstorming: This is the type of brainstorming
where participants express their ideas as they occur. It is
described in great detail in 5 Steps to Effective Brainstorming.
One of the key disadvantages of this type of brainstorming is that
quieter, more self conscious members might not participate
unless actively drawn in the process
2. Round Robin Brainstorming: People contribute ideas in
turn, feeling free to pass if they have no idea to share in that
round. The session is over when everyone passes. This ensures
everyone participates.
3. Mind Mapping: this offers a more graphic approach to
scribing responses, than simply listing ideas on a flipchart. One or
two people are used as scribes for the group.
The process begins by creating a large writing space, at least 4
feet by 4 feet, on a wall. Write the topic statement in circle in the
center of this space. Then gather responses and scribe them as
lines branching out from the center circle.
It may be a good idea to start a process with one or two
rounds of round robin brainstorming, and then set the group
loose into a free form continuation of the activity. This is
particularly useful if the group has not worked together before,
and needs some encouragement to begin opening up.
4. Pencil and Paper Brainstorming: Participants write their
ideas first, and then share them, either in turn or anonymously.
The advantage of this technique is that it encourages
participation by people who might otherwise feel intimidated.
5. Nominal Group Technique: This is a very structured form of
brainstorming that results in the generation and prioritization of
ideas. It is particularly useful when a large group is involved in
the brainstorming process and when there is a need to take a
brainstormed list and synthesize it into several prioritized items.
Another advantage is that it reduces the dominance of outspoken
individuals and encourages participation by everyone.
This is brainstorming technique is lengthier and much more
structured than the other approaches, but well worth the effort if
the group is large and the topic is complex.

Taking Your Brainstorming Further
If you're not getting enough good quality ideas, try using
the approaches below to increase the number of ideas
that you generate:
The Stepladder Technique This improves the contribution
of quieter group members by introducing one person at a time.
Brainwriting This is a written approach that you can use to
encourage all individuals to generate and develop ideas.
Online Brainstorming (also known as Brain-netting) An
electronic method of brainstorming, this uses a document stored
on a central server, or on a Cloud-based system.
Crawford's Slip Writing Approach You can use this
approach to get plenty of ideas from all participants, and to get a
view of each idea's popularity.
These techniques help you in
specific brainstorming
situations:
Reverse Brainstorming This is used to improve a product or
service.
Star bursting Star bursting helps you develop questions that
you need to ask to evaluate a proposal.
Charette Procedure This helps you brainstorm with large
groups of people. (Conventional brainstorming becomes
increasingly ineffective when more than 10 or 12 people are
involved.)
Round-Robin Brainstorming You can use this approach to
get people to contribute ideas without being influenced by
others.
Role storming This technique encourages group members to
take on other people's identities while brainstorming, thereby
reducing their inhibitions.