What is Brainstorming
Formally developed in 1930 by Alex Osborn
Since that time, 46 (or more) types
Trigger Method
from Ford Motor Company
SIL Method
(Successive Integration of Problem Elements)
Just try to get consensus with these ideas within a reasonable period of time!
Brainwriting
Five to eight people are seated around a table
The facilitator presents a problem to the group
The participants write their ideas on a sheet of paper or a
large note card
When a participant has written four ideas, he places his
idea sheet in the middle of the table (the pool) in exchange
for another participant's sheet
Participants read the ideas on the new sheet and then add
ideas of their own. They may return the sheet or card to
the pool and draw out a different sheet whenever they
need additional inspiration
After 30 to 40 minutes, the process ends, the idea sheets
are collected, and an evaluation phase begins
6 - 5 - 3
Pin - Cards
Problem statement written on board
Each participant gets stack of colored cards
Write down one idea per note card, as many
cards as you can
Lay the cards down by the person on your left
That person reads the cards when they are short
of ideas. They add ideas to the card they picked
up
Sort ideas and select
Motivational orientation. The facilitator explains why this process is being used, emphasizes the importance of the
participants' insights into the problems to be solved, and assures participants that as far as the full group is concerned, their
ideas will be anonymous.
Directions about slips. Twenty-five 3-inch by 5-inch slips of paper are distributed to each participant. The facilitator
emphasizes that each slip is to be used for only one idea, consisting of a single sentence. The sentence is to be written
across the top edge of the slip. If an idea needs more explanation, participants are instructed to use separate slips for each
sentence.
Present the target. "Target" is Crawfordese for the problem to be solved. The facilitator usually, but not always, presents
targets one at a time, although several targets may be worked on in the same session. Warm up before the "buzz."
Participants are given 20 minutes to write solutions to the target problem.
Buzz group formation and conduct. If the group is large, it is broken into three-person units, with each unit separated
physically. There is no leader, and no notes are to be taken. Each person presents one thought or idea from his slips. This
round-robin continues until all the warm-up ideas have been read aloud. Then there is a free-for-all discussion, the time limit
depending on the number of targets being worked on. Break-out groups tackle targets one at a time.
Sum-up or consolidation. Participants return to working alone. Again, using the slips, each participant writes a
recommendation for solving the target problem on one slip. Participants can write as many slips as necessary to record their
best ideas. Both "sum-up" and "warm-up" slips are turned in to the facilitator. Time limit for the sum-up is five to 10 minutes
per target.
Evaluation. The team leader or facilitator may do the evaluation alone or together with a small group from the workshop.
The slips are sorted into categories of similar ideas and titled in a descriptive manner. When all thoughts and ideas have
been categorized, they are ranked and evaluated for their relevance to the problem. Ideas that
survive the cut are
included in a report on possible solutions, written by the facilitator or the small group.
Necessary Agreements
When criticism shows up, willingness to risk goes away,
so does creativity
There are no bad ideas none nada
ANY reaction to an idea can thwart more ideas
No Good idea, What? or anything
Needs
8-14 participants
Quiet undisturbed location
2-3 hours
Flip chart paper
Different colored markers
Tape or self adhesive
Facilitator possibly a scribe as well
Publicize ideas
Get more people thinking continuous
improvement
Celebrate process
Encourage more participation
Brainstorming
Try it soon
Perfect practice makes perfect