BRAINSTORMING Variations
Nominal group technique
Participants are asked
to write their ideas anonymously. Then the facilitator 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.
After distillation, the
top ranked ideas may be sent back to the group or to subgroups for further brainstorming.
For example, one group may work on the color required in a product. Another
group may work on the size, and so forth. Each group will come back to the
whole group for ranking the listed ideas. Sometimes ideas that were previously
dropped may be brought forward again once the group has re-evaluated the ideas.
It is important that
the facilitator be trained in this process before attempting to facilitate this
technique. The group should be primed and encouraged to embrace the process.
Like all team efforts, it may take a few practice sessions to train the team in
the method before tackling the important ideas.
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.
The group may also
create an "idea book" and post a distribution list or routing slip to
the front of the book. On the first page is a description of the problem. The
first person to receive the book lists his or her ideas and then routes the
book to the next person on the distribution list. The second person can log new
ideas or add to the ideas of the previous person. This continues until the
distribution list is exhausted. A follow-up "read out" meeting is
then held to discuss the ideas logged in the book. This technique takes longer,
but it allows individuals time to think deeply about the problem.
Team idea mapping method
This method of
brainstorming works by the method of association.
It may improve collaboration and increase the quantity of ideas, and is
designed so that all attendees participate and no ideas are rejected.
The process begins with
a well-defined topic. Each participant brainstorms individually, then all the
ideas are merged onto one large idea map. During this consolidation phase,
participants may discover a common understanding of the issues as they share
the meanings behind their ideas. During this sharing, new ideas may arise by
the association, and they are added to the map as well. Once all the ideas are
captured, the group can prioritize and/or take action.
Breaking the rules technique
In this method,
participants list the formal or informal rules that govern a particular
process. Participants then try to develop alternative methods to bypass or counter
these established protocols.
Directed brainstorming
Directed brainstorming
is a variation of electronic brainstorming (described above). It can be done
manually or with computers. Directed brainstorming works when the solution
space (that is, the set of criteria for evaluating a good idea) is known prior
to the session. If known, those criteria can be used to constrain the Ideation process intentionally.
In directed
brainstorming, each participant is given one sheet of paper (or electronic
form) and told the brainstorming question. They are asked to produce one
response and stop, then all of the papers (or forms) are randomly swapped among
the participants. The participants are asked to look at the idea they received
and to create a new idea that improves on that idea based on the initial
criteria. The forms are then swapped again and respondents are asked to improve
upon the ideas, and the process is repeated for three or more rounds.
In the laboratory,
directed brainstorming has been found to almost triple the productivity of
groups over electronic brainstorming.
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.
Participants are asked
to adopt different mindsets for pre-defined period of time while contributing
their ideas to a central mind map drawn by a pre-appointed scribe. Having
examined a multi-perspective point of view, participants seemingly see the
simple solutions that collectively create greater growth. Action is assigned
individually.
Following a guided
brainstorming session participants emerge with ideas ranked for further
brainstorming, research and questions remaining unanswered and a prioritized,
assigned, actionable list that leaves everyone with a clear understanding of
what needs to happen next and the ability to visualize the combined future
focus and greater goals of the group.
Individual brainstorming
"Individual
brainstorming" is the use of brainstorming in solitary. It typically
includes such techniques as free writing, free speaking, word association,
and drawing a mind map, which is a visual note taking
technique in which people diagram their thoughts. Individual brainstorming is a
useful method in creative writing and has been shown to be superior to
traditional group brainstorming.[7]
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 term for this mode of inquiry.
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