Getting the maximum number of uninhibited/unfiltered ideas from the maximum number of participants

A facilitator prompts brainstorming by posing a question that everybody understands

There are a few simple ground rules that the facilitator needs to make sure all participants understand:
Say whatever comes to mind without self-editing, no idea is too crazy; no judgment/critique of ideas; everyone encouraged to participate; build on previous ideas if you can

Best used when there could be a wide open range of possibilities to explore, and it’s way to early in a project the conversation to make final assessments

It’s a good way to involve group members actively who may otherwise be shy or reticent to participate, because the structure provides a clear way to make contributions with minimal risk since there will be no critique of ideas offered.

Helps if facilitator is extra appreciative of the further out ideas to affirm the value of true creativity and the ground rule that anything goes.

Brainstorming originated with Alex Osborn, a 1950’s advertising executive

Typically lists of responses are generated; however non-linear mindmaps could be used

Quote:
“The essence of the technique is that everyone in the room should feel free to throw out any idea or half-baked thought, no matter how impractical or bizarre — the aim, as the name suggests, is to create a wild storm of lateral thinking, to crack apart the well-worn tracks of linear thought, to build a safe space for the unpredictable and the weird”   David Parkinson 

Cautions & Caveats:

There should be a clear focus; everybody needs to understand what the question is.

The facilitator/scribe should capture contributions exactly as offered; no editing/summarizing

Facilitator needs to prevent criticism or attempts to modify the ideas; reminding folks as necessary that all ideas stand as is, though you can add another which builds on a previous one

It may be necessary to draw people out; for example, facilitator could invite participants to go around the circle so everyone contributes in turn

May work better with more defined problems/issues than wide open ill-defined one.  See http://slowcoast.ca/2010/03/01/brain-storm-drain/

Don’t expect/assume that brainstorming will immediately lead to an obvious best solution that everyone will agree to. It may only be the first of many steps stages toward finding a solution/agreed upon action path