Brainstorming Principles and Practices

  1. All ideas are welcome. There are no wrong answers.
  2. During brainstorming, no explanations and no judgments should be made of ideas.
  3. Be creative in contributions. Be open to new, original ideas. Every point of view is valuable.
  4. Generate a large number of ideas.
  5. Build on the ideas of others.

Each group should select a group leader for this activity. The responsibilities of the group leader are:

a. Make sure everyone understands the problem statement.

b. Keep the brainstorming moving.

c. Make sure the rules are followed.

d. Contribute ideas.

e. Listen well.

f. Facilitate the organization and selection of ideas as the concluding activity.

Each group should select a recorder. The responsibilities of the recorder are:

a. Record the name of the leader and the name of the recorder.

b. Clearly record all ideas

c. Visually organize ideas after the brainstorming session, during the discussion.

Process:

  1. Leader makes sure everyone understands the problem statement.
  2. Group members individually write down as many ideas as they can think of relative to the problem. These can relate to the whole problem or any subset of it.
  3. The group leader asks a member to contribute an idea. The recorder records the idea on a flip chart.
  4. After each idea is spoken, the group leader asks for ideas that key off from or build on that idea. These ideas need not have been, but may be, ideas that were written during the initial quiet time. Anyone can contribute in any sequence.
  5. The leader then asks for an idea from the next person in sequence, then for ideas that build on that, etc.
  6. Anyone can pass, i.e. not contribute an idea, when called upon in sequence.
  7. When everyone has exhausted their supply of ideas, allow two minutes for everyone to reflect. Then resume the process until new ideas have been recorded.
  8. Process the ideas. Review ideas for clarification. Make sure everyone understands each item. Similar ideas should be combined and grouped. Eliminate duplicate ideas.Project team members participate equally, but they should be listening carefully and the recorder should be taking notes. You should end up with a collection of ideas but you should not, at this stage be evaluating or selecting or eliminating ideas.