Brainstorming Techniques

Brainstorming is an activity that involves a group. The purpose of a brainstorming session is to generate as many ideas as possible from everyone in a group to solve a problem or issue. Upon completion of the brainstorming process, the best idea will be chosen for implementation.

Group brainstorming activities are one of the best ways to get a lot of ideas because it involves people with different learning and thinking styles. It saves time and energy compared to relying on one person to come up with a solution and make a decision. A brainstorming process also benefits individuals involved because it is an activity that stimulate their creative thinking. It also helps each person in the group open their minds to other ways of looking at things.

Brainstorming Techniques No. 1 - State the Issue and Objective

State the issue or problem that needs a solution. Let the group knows of the end goal or objective of the session and it helps if you can create a picture of the desired result. Encourage them to come up with as many ideas as they can. State the time frame and rules of the session which should include no criticisms and judgments. Appoint a person to record or write all the ideas generated on a white board.

Brainstorming Techniques No. 2 - Generating Ideas

Involve everybody by going round the table. You can also pick anyone at random as long as everyone participates. Each person will come up with his suggestion and should be recorded without censure. If you are a leader in the group, avoid trying to consider the viability of the ideas generated by everyone and making a decision before the brainstorming activity ends.

If you are a participant, focus on the issue at hand and give your suggestion without the fear of being ridiculed or judged. Stimulate your creative thinking and creative imagination. Think of all the possible solutions you would do or make if you were the decision maker. You can brainstorm on a suggestion given by another participant and expand your thoughts on the original idea.

Brainstorming Techniques No. 3 - Analyze

When the time is up, combine all the suggestions and analyze them with the group. Narrow them down to the top 5 by asking each participant to score the suggestions given. Once you've picked the top 5 ideas, you can brainstorm further to narrow it down and come up with the solution.

For giving a score on an idea, ask yourself that on a scale from 1 to 10, how do you rate it to the issue that you are focusing on? It's ok to use your gut feeling if you have learned to trust it.

The final solution may have to take another one or two brainstorming sessions. If this is the situation, hand the list to the participants to go through, analyze and provide further suggestions and ways to implement. State the criteria for evaluating so that everyone understands what he has to produce for the next session.

Brainstorming Techniques No. 4 - Implementation

Once you or your group has agreed upon, finalized and obtain the solution, implement it. Monitor and follow up for feedbacks and to see the result. Otherwise, you have to look at the problem from a different viewpoint and do another brainstorming session

Brainstorming Tips and Strategies

1. Choose a relaxing environment and atmosphere. People can think well when there is no distraction and when they are at ease.
   
   
   
2. It's better to brainstorm in a small group comprising of about 5 people. If the group is big, it's better to split them into 2 groups. A larger group will take a longer time and several sessions before you can finalize the solution.
   
   
   
3. Choosing individuals from different backgrounds and levels is an advantage because you can get diverse views.

Personal Brainstorming Techniques

You can use brainstorm to solve your personal problems. But you have to expand your thinking, look at things in new ways to come up with lots of ideas. Making full use of your creative imagination is helpful.

Let's say you want to find ways to earn more money. Start by writing your goal in the form of a question. An example is "How to earn $xxx by the end of this year?" By writing a specific amount, you are giving clarity as to what you intend to achieve. When you ask yourself a "how" question, your brain will look for answers. You will stay focused and attract corresponding thoughts.

List down your thoughts and ideas but don't evaluate. Don't bother about its viability. You can do that later. Continue until you reach at least 20. If you are inspired, write 35 things that you can try or do.

Pick one from your list that you know you can start right away and just do it. By just starting something, you will create momentum to get going.

Mind mapping is a very useful tool to use for brainstorming and solving problems. You can download the Mind Map Basic for free by registering at the thinkbuzan website.

Power of the Mind

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