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Practical Information
Brainstorming as Imagineering
Updated:
Tuesday, April 08, 2008 04:15 PM |
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In 1939, a team
led by advertising executive Alex F. Osborn coined the term "brainstorm."
So it really is true, “Everything old it new again.” Today it is by
far the most widely used technique used to stimulate imagineering. He
is credited with saying: "It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to
think up a new one. |
| Brainstorming is
a technique used by large and small companies for problem-solving, learning
and development, planning and team building. It is a lateral thinking
process. Lateral thinking is the process of share ideas and thoughts no
matter how silly they may seem. These ideas are eventually evaluated,
improved and transformed into useful ideas. |
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Brainstorming can also be done on your own. Generally individuals,
brainstorming privately, tends to generate a wider range of ideas.
Group brainstorming tend to generate less. The downside is that private
sessions may not produce ideas as effectively because an individual does not
have the benefit of the group’s experience. |
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Setting up a
Brainstorming Session |
- Invite a diversity of individuals –
diverse in experience, knowledge of the problem, and position. Each
group consisting of 5-7 individuals, no more than 8 - 12.
- Dismiss the session for about 40 minutes
and allow individuals to thinking about the problem on their own before
scheduling another session. Larger groups may need more time to get
everyone's ideas out.
- Present a brief explanation of the problem
and its history. Be as specific as possible. The more specific the
explanation, the more productive the brainstorming session will be. ;
Concisely write down the problem and obtain agreement with the wording.
It is critical that all participants understand the problem to be solved.
- Write the objective of the session, in
question form, where everyone in the room can see
it. Examples: "How can we…?" or "What can be done to…?"
- Explain the guidelines. Having fun
is the key.
- Periodically select an idea randomly and
read it to the group. Ask what new ideas come to mind.
- At the end of the brainstorming session,
arrange the similar ideas together. Select the five best ideas.
- Appoint a facilitator who records ideas
and keeps the session moving in a positive direction. Use a
chalkboard, white board or flip chart to record ideas. Or distribute
post it notes on which individuals write their own ideas.
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Brainstorming
Guidelines |
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Ideas Generation Exercises |
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Searching for New Ideas for addition
examples for Brainstorming as Imagineering |
