Creative Brainstorming

This Skill-at-a-Glance provides general information about brainstorming. Teams using this approach help the
organization meet its goals and challenges by examining possibilities and suggestions.

R Ø How to Start Ø Basic Rules

U
L • Have flip charts and materials ready
E • Tell the team your looking for ideas and
S anything goes
• Overview of the situation or problem
• Deter judgment from others. Criticism is not acceptable during the session
• Everyone gets a chance to speak. No interruptions, this hampers the effort
• All ideas get recorded and considered. The more ideas the better
• Have Fun!

Ø What to do Next Ø Strive for Quantity of Ideas

• Select a scribe to capture ideas • More ideas lead to better chances of

S • Begin to capture ideas finding the unique solution to the situation
T • No names to ideas or problem
O • Suggest bizarre options, they lead to
R novel solutions
M Ø Build the List
I
• Build on others’ ideas Ø Idea Selection
N
• Improve options on the list
G • Begin to select the best ideas
• Place each chart on the wall when full
• Use a simple voting technique
• No breaks keep the discussion flowing
S • Select based on best possibilities
• Keep recording until ideas are exhausted
E • Don’t apply details to the voting just yet!
S
S Ø Scoring Ø Add Detail
I
O • Give/ receive constructive feedback on each idea • Add three to five detail statements for each
N • Team members provide a number 1 to 5 for idea remaining
each idea. This can be done verbally or written • Use the scoring technique again to rank the
down on paper best ideas
• Tally the scores for each idea. Write top 5 ideas on • Select the top three ideas and use these as
a new flip chart, post on the wall alternatives
• Now Add some key details to each idea • You’re done with Creative Brainstorming