Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Concept development - Idea generation - Brainstorming

Link to the page where is explained how to prepare a brainstorming session:

Session:
  • is for generating lots of new ideas and solutions
  • is not for analysis or for decision making
  • must be targeted to a specific topic
  • you must draw up a specific probortunity (problem/opportunity) statement which describes what you are trying to achieve
  • can investigate a whole area of interest
  • good before research in a specific area to avoid following others ideas (doesn't generate new point's of view)
  • should not be planning a brainstorming session if you already have several solutions and all you want to do is to decide which one to use (this is done by analysis)
Who:
  • decide who will lead the session - the faciliator (to introduce the session, to keep an eye on the time and to make sure the rules are obeyed)
  • Group sizes are often number between 4 and 30 people (More people means more opportunity for diversity but can lead to nervousness or to frustration if each person is not given enough individual time to suggest ideas)
Room and material:
  • specialist software as: Brainstorming toolbox, ConceptDraw MindMap etc.
  • people to be seated in a circle with no "head of the table"
  • could have flipcharts just behind the members (approximately one per two people) and with lots of coloured pens
  • Each person should also have a notepad and pen so that they can write down their personal ideas
  • A dedicated secretary (or two) whose only job is to grab and write down the ideas is extremely useful
  • A very small group is more like a quick-fire conversation and could be seated round a small table with a large pad of paper covering the whole table surface. Everyone can add their ideas at the same time.
Prepare:
  • invite everyone
  • telling people the time and the place and how long the session will last
  • may need to remind people to reply just before the deadline

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