Brainstorming

What We've Found

Brainstorming is an excellent way to get people engaged, to gather a lot of ideas, and to break down barriers of communication. Not everyone will feel this way; some will say this type of exercise is a waste of time delaying getting to work. We find even the strongest skeptics will loosen up and participate if they understand the purpose of an activity and how it is leading everyone towards realizing the goal. Take time to explain how the information collected in the group brainstorm will be used – or if it is just for fun, say that and watch what happens. Usually everyone joins in.

• Break into small groups of 15 people or less.
• Have chairs arranged in a single circle to allow everyone to see each other.
• Set aside a specific amount of time.
• Describe the questions that the group will be responding to and check for understanding.

• Silent Thinking and Writing:
• Present a question or statement and ask people to spend 5 to 15 minutes concentrating on their own thoughts and writing down their responses. These responses can either be handed in and a facilitator reads them to the group or an open session can begin where everybody shares. This may be a good step if people seem especially reluctant to speak and express their ideas.
• Round robin:
• Each person is systematically called on in turn and shares one idea at a time until either there are no more ideas or the time limit is reached. Try reversing the direction of calling on people.
• Popcorn:
• Ideas are called out randomly, quickly.
• Discussion Brainstorm:
• Have a discussion about the question or issue for a specific amount of time, say 5 to 10 minutes. Then run the brainstorm, describing key ideas that came up.
• Post-it Notes®
• Each person is given 5 minutes to think about a response to the question or issue. Alternatively, have people work in pairs to generate ideas. They are to record their responses on as many Post-it Notes® as necessary. Each person, when called upon, gives the notes to the facilitator who reads them and sticks them on the wall or a flip chart. Similar ideas are then grouped.

3. Icebreaker to demonstrate brainstorming

Describe either an imaginary problem to be solved, such as "ways to reduce paper" or "how to get people to come to a public meeting" or use a current event or issue that is particular to that community (but is not related to the project). Have everyone take a turn around the room in round-robin fashion stating humorous, infeasible, unwise, or outlandish ways to achieve the desired goal – the crazier the better. Write the responses on a flip chart. After everyone has had an opportunity to provide at least two responses, the facilitator guides the discussion. Identify any trends that were noticed such as one idea building on a previous one, unrestricted thinking, breaking into new territory, concepts of creativity, how some items could be adapted to really solve the problem, etc. Use these trends to illustrate how fresh, new thinking will be required in this planning process.

• You want get people comfortable expressing themselves with each other and sharing ideas even if they do not agree.
• You have a group that has come together to solve a problem or develop a plan.
• You want everyone to feel involved in contributing to work that is being done.

• Your group does not trust the facilitator, the topic, or each other. This can especially happen if the project is highly controversial.
• You want people’s honest opinions. Once people begin to hear other’s speaking, they can begin to influence each other. Consider interviewing in small groups or conducting a survey instead.
• You already have the "answer." Never ask a roomful of people to express their ideas and then try to manipulate the responses to fit your own agenda.

• Brainstorming Session - D6 - Item No. 6-8104