Brainstorming: Methods And Examples For Effective Idea Generation

A problem, a question for which you don’t have a solution yet? Then why not start with a brainstorming session? We’ll show you what you need to keep in mind and what other methods are available to make the best out of your roulette online casino experience.

When Is It Useful?

Brainstorming can be used in many ways. Actually, whenever you have a problem for which you are looking for a solution. It is especially useful for unusual problems that you don’t have a lot of experience with or that you can’t think of much about at first. This can be a topic for a party, an essay or a congress. But there can also be concrete questions like “How can I increase my sales?” or “How can I encourage children to get more involved in science?”. In short, the range of topics and issues is extensive.

You can brainstorm on your own or in a group with colleagues or friends. To make it work, we’ll give you a few tips below that you should keep in mind for a successful brainstorming process.

Basic Tips

If you want to brainstorm, you should pay attention to the following aspects:

The Different Phases

Classic brainstorming takes place in four clearly separated phases:

Phase 1: This is where the actual stream of thoughts takes place. All thoughts and ideas of the participants are recorded and written down unsorted. The rules listed above apply. It is best to use small cards for the ideas so that you can rearrange them later.

Phase 2: Now the ideas are sorted. In joint consultation, categories are formed and the ideas are systematically sorted.

Phase 3: The third step is to evaluate the ideas. Now everyone is allowed to express their criticism. The ideas that turn out not to be feasible are sorted out.

Phase 4: The last step is to actually use and implement the ideas. This is the longest phase and is no longer part of the actual brainstorming process.

Criticism

Brainstorming is much criticized or called old-fashioned nowadays. The reason for this is that classic brainstorming often proves to be no more effective than brainstorming by individuals. Group processes can significantly disrupt the idea generation process.

For example, participants always have to wait until the other person has spoken and are thus inhibited in their own free expression of ideas. Hierarchies and personality tendencies such as introversion also have a strong, often negative influence on brainstorming processes.

Brainwarming And Brainwriting As An Alternative

In brainwarming and brainwriting, everyone first writes their own ideas on Post-Its or slips of paper. Afterwards, the notes are sorted and evaluated together. The notes can, but do not have to, be submitted anonymously.

The advantage of this is that even more reserved participants can express their ideas and that there is no mutual blocking. However, the possibility of linking to the ideas of others is eliminated. A moderator is not necessary here.

Even more structured is the 6-5-3 method, in which six participants each write down three suggestions in five minutes. They enter them in the top row of a table with three columns and six rows. After five minutes, everyone passes their table clockwise. The next person adds to and expands the ideas of his predecessor. This procedure is repeated until everyone has received each document once.. Then the ideas are discussed.