- You need to generate as many ideas as possible.
- Ideas must not be judged until the brainstorming session is over. Otherwise participants will hold back.
- Get participants to think outside the box. Even ideas that may not be feasible could help by steering thinking in new directions.
- Ideas can be combined. Participants need to feel free to react to and build off one another.
Brainstorming was designed as a method for obtaining clear responses in the context of, for example, naming a new product or creating a slogan. It is possible that this method is not appropriate for more analytical projects where deep, critical thinking is required.
To make the most of your brainstorming sessions, try the following techniques, as proposed by the business2community.com website.
First work alone, then together
During brainstorming, convergent thinking may arise when individuals have a tendency to produce ideas which are increasingly similar to one another as the brainstorming session progresses.
It may be useful to let people think by themselves before the actual brainstorming session begins. That way, everyone has a chance to go in their own unique direction. The result is a gathering of confident people with different perspectives on the issue at hand, which increases considerably the potential for new solutions.
Form a team of people who know one another well
It seems that brainstorming sessions are more effective when participants are familiar with one another. This means complete strangers may not be the best blend for a successful brainstorming session. The probable reason for this is that when there is lack of mutual comfort, the session may prove awkward.
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