Brainstorm

Step # 1
Define a question for
which there is a real need

Find a brainstorming question for which

theres 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 dont 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 youre 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