Brainstorming Skill

Overview

Brainstorming is a creative technique for generating ideas through group or individual thinking sessions. Effective brainstorming balances divergent thinking (generating many ideas) with convergent thinking (selecting the best ideas).

Core Principles

Osborn's Rules (Classic Brainstorming)

• Defer Judgment: No criticism during idea generation

• Go for Quantity: More ideas = more chances for good ones

• Encourage Wild Ideas: They often contain seeds of innovation

• Build on Ideas: Use "Yes, and..." to extend thoughts

Additional Best Practices

• One Conversation at a Time: Focus and listen

• Be Visual: Sketch, diagram, demonstrate

• Stay Focused: Keep returning to the challenge

• Time-Box: Constraints drive creativity

The Diverge-Converge Model

DIVERGE CONVERGE Generate ideas Select ideas \ / \ / \ / \ GROAN / \ ZONE / \ / ──────────────────────────

• Quantity • Quality • Expansive • Focused • No judgment • Evaluation • All ideas • Best ideas

The "Groan Zone" is the challenging transition between divergence and convergence.

Divergent Techniques

1. Classic Brainstorm

Free-flowing idea generation with one person capturing.

2. Brainwriting (6-3-5)

• 6 people write 3 ideas in 5 minutes

• Pass papers and build on others' ideas

• Repeat rounds

3. Round Robin

Each person contributes one idea in turn, building momentum.

4. Mind Mapping

Visual technique branching from central concept.

5. SCAMPER

Systematic modification prompts:

• Substitute

• Combine

• Adapt

• Modify

• Put to other use

• Eliminate

• Reverse

6. Random Entry

Use random words/images as stimulus for new connections.

7. Reverse Brainstorm

"How could we cause this problem?" then flip solutions.

8. Starbursting

Generate questions (Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?) rather than answers.

9. Role Storming

Brainstorm as someone else (customer, competitor, child).

10. Worst Possible Idea

Deliberately generate terrible ideas, then extract useful elements.

Convergent Techniques

1. Dot Voting

Each person gets N dots to distribute among ideas.

2. Affinity Mapping

Group related ideas into themes/clusters.

3. Four Categories

Sort ideas into: Now, Soon, Later, Never

4. Impact/Effort Matrix

Plot ideas on 2x2 grid.

5. Ranking

Force-rank top 5-10 ideas.

6. Criteria Weighting

Score ideas against predefined criteria.

7. Thumbs Up/Down

Quick consensus check.

Session Structures

Quick Burst (30 minutes)

00:00 - 00:05 Setup & Rules 00:05 - 00:15 Diverge (generate ideas) 00:15 - 00:25 Converge (group & vote) 00:25 - 00:30 Close (top 3 & next steps)

Standard Session (60 minutes)

00:00 - 00:05 Setup & Rules 00:05 - 00:10 Warm-up / Energizer 00:10 - 00:25 Round 1: Free Brainstorm 00:25 - 00:35 Round 2: Prompted/Structured 00:35 - 00:45 Group & Theme 00:45 - 00:55 Vote & Prioritize 00:55 - 00:60 Close & Actions

Extended Session (90 minutes)

00:00 - 00:10 Setup & Context 00:10 - 00:15 Warm-up 00:15 - 00:30 Round 1: Individual Silent 00:30 - 00:45 Round 2: Group Building 00:45 - 00:60 Round 3: Technique (SCAMPER, etc.) 00:60 - 00:70 Clustering & Themes 00:70 - 00:80 Voting & Discussion 00:80 - 00:90 Actions & Close

Facilitation Tips

Starting Strong

• Have a clear, well-framed challenge

• Create energy with a warm-up

• Post rules visibly

• Use a timer

Maintaining Momentum

• Call out good examples of building

• Prompt when energy dips

• Change techniques if stuck

• Use provocations: "What if...?"

Managing Challenges

Challenge Response

Silent group Try brainwriting first

One dominant voice Use round robin

Going off-topic Restate the challenge

Premature criticism Remind of rules, park concerns

Running out of ideas Change technique or perspective

Too many ideas Use affinity mapping

Closing Strong

• Celebrate quantity generated

• Make selection transparent

• Assign clear actions

• Thank participants

Quality of Ideas

Idea Attributes to Look For

Novel: Different from existing solutions Feasible: Possible to implement Valuable: Addresses the real need Complete: Can stand alone as concept

Characteristics of Good Sessions

• High quantity of ideas generated

• Diversity of idea types

• Some surprising/unexpected ideas

• Building on others' ideas visible

• Energy maintained throughout

Common Pitfalls

Production Blocking: Others can't share while one talks

• Solution: Use brainwriting or silent ideation first

Evaluation Apprehension: Fear of judgment

• Solution: Emphasize rules, anonymous submission

Social Loafing: Hiding in the group

• Solution: Individual ideation before group

Anchoring: Early ideas dominate

• Solution: Generate silently first, randomize sharing

Groupthink: Converging too quickly

• Solution: Extend divergence, assign devil's advocate

See techniques.md for detailed technique guides.