TABLE OF CONTENTS Brainstorming is a method of generating the maximum number of ideas about a topic or a problem. It is structured to generate ideas without criticism and to involve all team members. It also helps get buy-in from the members. Criticism, comments, and analysis are not allowed during the idea generation. Brainstorming is effective only if everyone in your group plays by the rules.
Whenever a team wants to create a large list of ideas about a topic, brainstorming is an effective technique. In the process management methodology, brainstorming is most often used:
In Step 9, "Detail Causes," to develop a list of causes.
In Step 12, "Formulate Alternative Solutions," to develop a list of alternative solutions.
Before drawing an affinity diagram, a fishbone diagram, or a force field analysis diagram.
Brainstorming is a simple technique. The tasks are as follows:
Clearly write out the topic or problem that you want to generate ideas about.
Start writing down ideas as people say them. Do not stop to evaluate, criticize, or comment on the ideas given. Members can purposely build upon the ideas of others. The objective is to shoot for quantity. Later steps can ensure quality. Write the ideas on a flipchart so the whole group can see them. Stop only when all the members have run out of new ideas.
There are two common approaches to generating the ideas. The choice of...
