Brainstorming.Introduction The purpose of this checklist is to enable a manager, without previous experience of the technique and with a minimum of preparation, to introduce brainstorming to a group and then go on to brainstorm a specific problem or opportunity. Numerous fresh ideas and concepts can be rapidly generated in a brainstorming session and the technique can be fun and simple to learn. Organisations continue to use the well-known technique despite some controversy over its effectiveness. The use of a well-trained group facilitator can overcome most difficulties and additional benefits from the brainstorming process including, employee involvement and the group experience, have been identified. National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership This checklist has relevance to the following standards: D: Working with people, unit 1 Definition Brainstorming is a technique for generating ideas, developing creativity, or solving problems, in small groups, through the free-flowing contributions of participants. Several variations of brainstorming and related techniques have emerged, such as brainwriting, where ideas are written down by individuals, nominal group technique The nominal group technique is a decision-making method for use among groups of many sizes, who want to make their decision quickly, as by a vote, but want everyone's opinions taken into account (as opposed to traditional voting, where only the largest group is considered). , electronic brainstorming, and buzz groups. Action checklist--Preparation 1. Select the problem / opportunity to be brainstormed Select an item important enough to justify the participation of others. It should also be one where there are a number of possible solutions and imagination is required to identify them. 2. Think of structure, aims and objectives Although a brainstorming session is an open, 'no-holds- barred' affair, establish where you are going, what you want to achieve and roughly how to get there. 3. Choose the Facilitator This should be an open, outgoing person with enthusiasm and the ability to stimulate interest and enjoyment. Choosing the right facilitator is vital. They need not be the most senior person at the session, but will need to set the scene by relaxing the participants and creating an open atmosphere, controlling dominant people, getting and keeping them on track by highlighting the issues, and creating a sense of fun. Perhaps most importantly Adv. 1. most importantly - above and beyond all other consideration; "above all, you must be independent" above all, most especially , they should be adept at keeping ideas flowing. Should the facilitator be internal or external? An external facilitator can be especially useful when senior managers are involved, but if the issue is not too complex or contentious, an internal facilitator may be used, provided they have some experience. The facilitator should feel comfortable running activity-based sessions, and should have clear plans and tactics for arriving at expected outcomes or targets. The facilitator must also ensure, as much as possible, that the group works as a team and owns what it has achieved at the end. 4. Select an appropriate venue This depends largely on the time set aside for the session. If time is available then somewhere away from the routine place of work is often more suitable and a fresh perspective can be brought to the business in hand. 5. Consider the mix of participants As well as those with a specialist contribution to make, include those who have little or no knowledge of the problem to be brainstormed. They will not be concerned with detail and will offer a fresh approach. Consider the introduction of outsiders for this, although it can backfire if they are seen as intruders or spies spies n. Plural of spy. v. Third person singular present tense of spy. . Work on getting the group dynamics group dynamics: see group psychotherapy. right in order to put the group at ease, avoid snide or put-down put·down or put-down n. Slang 1. A dismissal or rejection, especially in the form of a critical or slighting remark: "Such answers were, perhaps still are, a . . . comments and create a 'free-from-blame' atmosphere. All participants are equal and none are more equal than others. 6. Think of the right number There is no right number, although more than ten might be unmanageable when ideas really start to flow, and less than five might not be enough to generate creativity. Six to eight is usually about right, although this will depend on the style of the facilitator and the nature of the problem to be tackled. 7. Get the equipment right You will need to record the ideas that come up. Tape recorders tape recorder, device for recording information on strips of plastic tape (usually polyester) that are coated with fine particles of a magnetic substance, usually an oxide of iron, cobalt, or chromium. The coating is normally held on the tape with a special binder. may not seem appropriate here and may well act as inhibitors to the free flow of ideas. The traditional flip-chart should suffice suf·fice v. suf·ficed, suf·fic·ing, suf·fic·es v.intr. 1. To meet present needs or requirements; be sufficient: These rations will suffice until next week. , with completed sheets being blu-tacked to the wall in full view to help stimulate further ideas. 8. Get the layout right Do not use a room with fixed rows of seats. Something more relaxed, even random, is preferable; a circle or U-shape is fairly usual. If the facilitator is not familiar with the room to be used, they should check it beforehand and prepare it appropriately. 9. Get the timing right Think of your own powers of concentration and remember that brainstorming of ideas can go from dynamic to exhausted, and back again. 10-20 minutes may be needed to get people relaxed; two hours can be a long time to brainstorm--stop for a break if people show signs of tiredness. Arrange for a 20 minute break after an hour's uninterrupted flow, or if and when the flow slows to a trickle. The break may be enough to stimulate an active re-start, perhaps with a change in the seating of individuals. 10. Get the time of day right Unfortunately hard advice is difficult here as we are all different. Some people are better when their mind is less active and more relaxed and when their routine work has been dispensed dis·pense v. dis·pensed, dis·pens·ing, dis·pens·es v.tr. 1. To deal out in parts or portions; distribute. See Synonyms at distribute. 2. To prepare and give out (medicines). 3. with. Others may prefer the morning when collective mental energy is at its highest. Provide sufficient notice of the session, and an outline of the problem to be tackled. Action checklist--The session 1. State the problem / objective State the problem and explain it to the group. Make sure everyone participating has a clear understanding. 2. Restate re·state tr.v. re·stat·ed, re·stat·ing, re·states To state again or in a new form. See Synonyms at repeat. re·state the problem Encourage the group to stand back from the problem, walk around it, and see it from every angle. Suggest re-wording it in 'How to' statements. Some restatements may be close to the original, others may illuminate il·lu·mi·nate v. il·lu·mi·nat·ed, il·lu·mi·nat·ing, il·lu·mi·nates v.tr. 1. To provide or brighten with light. 2. To decorate or hang with lights. 3. new facets. Write re-statements on the flip-chart for all to see. 3. Brainstorm the problem with the following guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. : a) Suspend judgement: avoid evaluative comments such as 'that won't work' or 'that sounds silly'. Laugh with wild ideas, not at them. b) Use the following techniques for generating further ideas. * Call for a one-minute break, asking the group to look over ideas already noted before starting the flow again * Offer a target: e.g. 'we just need six more to make 50 ideas!' * Reflect and concentrate on one idea, e.g. how many ways can we do this? * Look back at the re-statements to pursue other lines. c) Freewheel free·wheel n. also free wheel 1. A power-transmission device that allows the drive shaft of a motor vehicle to continue turning when its speed is greater than that of the engine shaft. 2. : encourage (within limits) drifting or dreaming; try to bring the subconscious subconscious: see unconscious. into play; the wilder the idea, the better. d) Go for quantity not quality--the more the merrier; suspend judgement, evaluation comes later. e) Cross-fertilize: pick up somebody's idea and suggest others leading from it. 4. Ask the group to choose a really wild and apparently senseless sense·less adj. 1. Lacking sense or meaning; meaningless. 2. Deficient in sense; foolish or stupid. 3. Insensate; unconscious. idea from the lists marked up and generate ideas from there 5. Closure Give a warning of when the session will close about five minutes from the end. Participants will want to know what happens next. Explain that the lists will be circulated and do this within 24 hours to retain freshness and familiarity. Tell the participants that they will be informed on the ideas chosen for further action or recommendation. Ask them one last time for any comments, ideas or further thinking. Action checklist--Evaluation 1. Get the team to scrutinize scru·ti·nize tr.v. scru·ti·nized, scru·ti·niz·ing, scru·ti·niz·es To examine or observe with great care; inspect critically. scru all the ideas to pick out any instant winners Rank ideas giving 3 points for those which stand out, 2 for those which have possibilities and zero for those which appear unsound unsound said of an animal, usually a horse, which has been examined for soundness and found to be unsatisfactory. , require too many resources, or do not meet the original objectives. 2. Reduce the number of '2s' to a minimum, apply such criteria as cost, acceptability or time-scales 3. Use reverse brainstorming * In how many ways can a particular idea fail? * What are the negative factors? * What is the potential downside Downside The dollar amount by which the market or a stock has the potential to fall. Notes: You might hear someone say that the downside on stock XYZ is $10. What that means is that the stock could fall by this amount if things got bad. for the organisation? 4. Apply the key evaluative criteria * What will it cost? * Will it be acceptable to management, staff, and customers? * Is it legal? * Is it practical? * How long will it take? * What competition will there be? * How urgent is it? (If it is not done now, will an opportunity be lost?) Managers should avoid * allowing critical or evaluative comments * letting the session be dictated dic·tate v. dic·tat·ed, dic·tat·ing, dic·tates v.tr. 1. To say or read aloud to be recorded or written by another: dictate a letter. 2. a. or sidetracked by dominant individuals * letting the session go on too long * recording the session. Additional resources Books Creativity in virtual teams : key components for success, Jill E Nemiro San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden Calif: Pfeiffer, 2004 Why didn't I think of that, Charles W McCoy Jr Paramus NJ: Prentice Hall Prentice Hall is a leading educational publisher. It is an imprint of Pearson Education, Inc., based in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, USA. Prentice Hall publishes print and digital content for the 6-12 and higher education market. History In 1913, law professor Dr. , 2002 Successful innovation, Michel Michel named after Gaston Michel, a French surgeon (1875-1937). Michel clip metal skin sutures in various sizes from 8 to 16 mm long. Each clip is a 2 mm wide band of metal with a downturned sharp prong at each end. Syrett and Jean Lammiman London: Economist Books in association with Profile Books, 2002 Ultimate book of business creativity: 50 great thinking tools for transforming your business, Ros Jay Oxford: Capstone, 2000 This is a selection of books available for loan to members from the Management Information Centre. More information at: www.managers.org.uk/mic Related checklists Managing creativity (177) Solving problems (012) Internet Internet Publicly accessible computer network connecting many smaller networks from around the world. It grew out of a U.S. Defense Department program called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), established in 1969 with connections between computers at the resources Brainstorming.co.uk: www.brainstorming.co.uk Site provided by Infinite Innovations Ltd. Includes tutorials on brainstorming and creative thinking as well as articles, a newsletter and listing of recommended reading. Space for Ideas: www.spaceforideas.uk.com Sponsored by the East of England The East of England is one of the nine official regions of England. It was created in 1994 and was adopted for statistics from 1999. It includes the ceremonial counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Development Agency, this site provides tips and information on how to develop creativity and generate new ideas "New Ideas" is the debut single by Scottish New Wave/Indie Rock act The Dykeenies. It was first released as a Double A-side with "Will It Happen Tonight?" on July 17, 2006. The band also recorded a video for the track. . Includes; exercises, case studies and articles by management thinkers. |
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