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)

1. Defer Judgment: No criticism during idea generation
2. Go for Quantity: More ideas = more chances for good ones
3. Encourage Wild Ideas: They often contain seeds of innovation
4. Build on Ideas: Use "Yes, and..." to extend thoughts

Additional Best Practices

5. One Conversation at a Time: Focus and listen
6. Be Visual: Sketch, diagram, demonstrate
7. Stay Focused: Keep returning to the challenge
8. 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

1. Production Blocking: Others can't share while one talks

   • Solution: Use brainwriting or silent ideation first

2. Evaluation Apprehension: Fear of judgment

   • Solution: Emphasize rules, anonymous submission

3. Social Loafing: Hiding in the group

   • Solution: Individual ideation before group

4. Anchoring: Early ideas dominate

   • Solution: Generate silently first, randomize sharing

5. Groupthink: Converging too quickly

   • Solution: Extend divergence, assign devil's advocate

See techniques.md for detailed technique guides.