Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a group or individual creativity technique by which efforts are made to find a conclusion for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its member. Brainstorming is a very useful technique in order to solve any kind of problem. The notes for the other types of brainstorming have already been provided.

This method is used when people want to break out of stale, boring, established paths of thinking. It brings in creativity and helps one get out of a writer’s block.

Different types of brainstorming are:

• Free thinking
• Breaking down the topic into levels
• Listing/Bulleting
• 3 perspectives
• Cubing
• Similes
• Clustering/mapping/webbing
• Journalistic questions
• Thinking outside the box
• Using charts/shapes
• Consider purpose and audience
• Dictionaries and encyclopedias

 

Other than the ones listed above, there are more variations to brainstorming. Check out the following:

 

Nominal  Group Technique

• The nominal group technique is a type of brainstorming that encourages all participants to have an equal say in the process. It is also used to generate a ranked list of ideas.
• Participants are asked to write their ideas anonymously. Then the moderator collects the ideas and the group votes on each idea. The vote can be as simple as a show of hands in favor of a given idea. This process is called distillation.

Group Passing Technique

• Each person in a circular group writes down one idea, and then passes the piece of paper to the next person, who adds some thoughts.
• This continues until everybody gets his or her original piece of paper back. By this time, it is likely that the group will have extensively elaborated on each idea.
• This technique takes longer, but it allows individuals time to think deeply about the problem.

Team Idea Mapping Method

• The members of a group brainstorm individually and their ideas are collected and evaluated together as one large idea map.

Guided Brainstorming

• A guided brainstorming session is time set aside to brainstorm either individually or as a collective group about a particular subject under the constraints of perspective and time.
• This type of brainstorming removes all cause for conflict and constrains conversations while stimulating critical and creative thinking in an engaging, balanced environment.

Individual Brainstorming

• “Individual brainstorming” is the use of brainstorming in solitary.
• It is very useful for creative writing.
• Research has shown individual brainstorming to be more effective in idea-generation than group brainstorming.

Question Brainstorming

• This process involves brainstorming the questions, rather than trying to come up with immediate answers and short term solutions.
• Theoretically, this technique should not inhibit participation as there is no need to provide solutions.
• The answers to the questions form the framework for constructing future action plans.
• Once the list of questions is set, it may be necessary to prioritize them to reach to the best solution in an orderly way.

“Questorming” is another phrase for this mode of inquiry.

Since we’ve already been given the notes for the different types and methods of brainstorming, in this document we will learn to brainstorm effectively. This method is very similar to the ‘Free Thinking’ method.

 

STEPS:

 

1. DEFINE your question in a clear, concise manner. It should contain only the challenge and must exclude any other information. Remember, the better the question, the better the answer.

 

1. 2.     TIME LIMIT: Give yourself around 30 minutes to generate a platter of ideas. If the discussion (in case of a group) continues to be lively, then you may extend your duration. Set an expectation for the volume of output.

 

 

1. 3.     DO NOT CRITICIZE: Once the brainstorming session starts, don’t criticize, comment on, or evaluate any idea. Commenting on ideas is the quickest way to shut down a dynamic brainstorming session. No matter how daft an idea may seem, it should be written down. Let the thoughts keep flowing.

 

1. 4.     ENCOURAGE: Make sure that everyone in the group is able to contribute to the session. If a member or two seem to be dominating the conversation, then it is perfectly alright to ask another member by his/her name for any further suggestions or ideas.

 

1. 5.     CHOOSE: After the brainstorming session, clarify and categorize the ideas on the basis of the relevance to your question. Rank the ideas (unanimously, in case of a group) and you will find your answer!

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