Difference between revisions of "Brainstorming"

Difference between revisions of "Brainstorming"

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{{Term|BRAINSTORMING|Group of creativity methods, in which all member of a team are encouraged to generate and share ideas on a specific topic. The aim is to put the participants in the condition of creating original ideas and developing unusual approaches to a problem. Therefore, the group should feel free to express the ideas spontaneous just focusing on quantity, since every evaluation must be postponed later in the process. Following these ground rules brainstorming can reduce the inhibitions in the group (including self-censorship) and enhance creative thinking.  
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{{Term|BRAINSTORMING|Group of creativity methods, in which all members of a team are encouraged to generate and share ideas on a specific topic. The aim is to put the participants in the condition of creating original ideas and developing unusual approaches to a problem. Therefore, the group should feel free to express the ideas spontaneous just focusing on quantity, since every evaluation must be postponed later in the process. Following these ground rules brainstorming can reduce the inhibitions in the group (including self-censorship) and enhance creative thinking.  
  
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==Utility of brainstorming==
 
 
Brainstorming sessions may help to increase work enjoyment and make team working better, although they may not enhance the productivity of groups in terms of the quantity and/or the quality of ideas generated.  
 
Brainstorming sessions may help to increase work enjoyment and make team working better, although they may not enhance the productivity of groups in terms of the quantity and/or the quality of ideas generated.  
 
Whether brainstorming can increase either quantity or quality of ideas is controversial, because problems such as distraction and evaluation anxiety can derail the process. <ref> [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainstorming Wikipedia] (26 May 2009), [http://www.answers.com/topic/brainstorming www.answers.com] (27 May 2009)  </ref>
 
Whether brainstorming can increase either quantity or quality of ideas is controversial, because problems such as distraction and evaluation anxiety can derail the process. <ref> [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainstorming Wikipedia] (26 May 2009), [http://www.answers.com/topic/brainstorming www.answers.com] (27 May 2009)  </ref>
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=='''Preparing a Brainstorming session'''==
 
=='''Preparing a Brainstorming session'''==
  
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#Select a specific problem, about which the brainstorming session should focus on. It must be a clear problem and, if too complex, it should be broken into smaller parts, each one connected to a question. Before the session, it may be also useful to send the participants an invitation, containing a description of the problem, so they can start thinking about it.
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#Select a specific problem, on which the brainstorming session should focus on. It must be a clear problem and, if too complex, it should be broken into smaller parts, each one connected to a question. Before the session, it may be useful to send the participants an invitation, containing a description of the issue that will be discussed, so they can start thinking about it.
 
#Select suitable participants, ideally between six and twelve, both non-experts and experts on the subjects. It is important that they have a positive attitude towards brainstorming and an open way of thinking. Each member of the group should participate, since observers can inhibit the creative process.
 
#Select suitable participants, ideally between six and twelve, both non-experts and experts on the subjects. It is important that they have a positive attitude towards brainstorming and an open way of thinking. Each member of the group should participate, since observers can inhibit the creative process.
 
#Create a positive environment, where each participant can feel comfortable and free. If the members of the group feel judged, they will probably generate less unusual ideas, which often help to find the effective solution.
 
#Create a positive environment, where each participant can feel comfortable and free. If the members of the group feel judged, they will probably generate less unusual ideas, which often help to find the effective solution.
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#Select a group moderator, who should be able to conduct the discussion and to enliven it, if the creativity decreases. A list of lead questions may helps the facilitator in accomplishing this duty.
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#Select a group moderator, who should be able to conduct the discussion and to enliven it, if the creativity decreases. A list of lead questions may help the facilitator in accomplishing this duty.
 
#Aim at generating a large quantity of ideas, according to the assumption that ''quantity breeds quality''.
 
#Aim at generating a large quantity of ideas, according to the assumption that ''quantity breeds quality''.
 
#Avoid judgement and criticism, as the negative thinking can demotivate some members of the group to contribute their ideas.
 
#Avoid judgement and criticism, as the negative thinking can demotivate some members of the group to contribute their ideas.
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#Warm-up, to make the participants feel in a criticism-free environment.
 
#Warm-up, to make the participants feel in a criticism-free environment.
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#Presentation of the problem, including also further explanations of it.
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#Introduce the problem, including also further explanations of it.
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#Asking the members of the group for ideas.
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#Ask the members of the group for ideas.
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#Encouraging the creativity, if necessary.
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#Encourage the creativity, if necessary.
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#Expression of ideas and record of them by someone selected for this duty.
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#Let participants express their ideas and select someone to record them.
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#Elaboration of ideas to make them clear.
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#Let participants elaborate their ideas to make them clear.
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#Organizing and clustering ideas.
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#Let participants organize and cluster ideas.
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#Evaluating ideas in order to identify those worthy of action.
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#Let participants evaluate ideas in order to identify those worthy of action.
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#Thanking the participants. <ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/brainstorming www.answers.com] (27 May 2009)</ref>}}
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#Thank the participants. <ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/brainstorming www.answers.com] (27 May 2009)</ref>}}
  
  

Revision as of 11:05, 9 November 2009

Term2.png BRAINSTORMING
Group of creativity methods, in which all members of a team are encouraged to generate and share ideas on a specific topic. The aim is to put the participants in the condition of creating original ideas and developing unusual approaches to a problem. Therefore, the group should feel free to express the ideas spontaneous just focusing on quantity, since every evaluation must be postponed later in the process. Following these ground rules brainstorming can reduce the inhibitions in the group (including self-censorship) and enhance creative thinking.

Brainstorming sessions may help to increase work enjoyment and make team working better, although they may not enhance the productivity of groups in terms of the quantity and/or the quality of ideas generated. Whether brainstorming can increase either quantity or quality of ideas is controversial, because problems such as distraction and evaluation anxiety can derail the process. [1]

See also Nominal Group Technique


Toolkit.png Conducting a Brainstorming session

Preparing a Brainstorming session

  1. Select a specific problem, on which the brainstorming session should focus on. It must be a clear problem and, if too complex, it should be broken into smaller parts, each one connected to a question. Before the session, it may be useful to send the participants an invitation, containing a description of the issue that will be discussed, so they can start thinking about it.
  2. Select suitable participants, ideally between six and twelve, both non-experts and experts on the subjects. It is important that they have a positive attitude towards brainstorming and an open way of thinking. Each member of the group should participate, since observers can inhibit the creative process.
  3. Create a positive environment, where each participant can feel comfortable and free. If the members of the group feel judged, they will probably generate less unusual ideas, which often help to find the effective solution.
  4. Select a group moderator, who should be able to conduct the discussion and to enliven it, if the creativity decreases. A list of lead questions may help the facilitator in accomplishing this duty.
  5. Aim at generating a large quantity of ideas, according to the assumption that quantity breeds quality.
  6. Avoid judgement and criticism, as the negative thinking can demotivate some members of the group to contribute their ideas.
  7. Combine ideas by a process of association in order to improve them.

Running a Brainstorming Session

  1. Warm-up, to make the participants feel in a criticism-free environment.
  2. Introduce the problem, including also further explanations of it.
  3. Ask the members of the group for ideas.
  4. Encourage the creativity, if necessary.
  5. Let participants express their ideas and select someone to record them.
  6. Let participants elaborate their ideas to make them clear.
  7. Let participants organize and cluster ideas.
  8. Let participants evaluate ideas in order to identify those worthy of action.
  9. Thank the participants. [2]


References

  1. ↑ Wikipedia (26 May 2009), www.answers.com (27 May 2009)
  2. ↑ www.answers.com (27 May 2009)
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