BRAINSTORMING GUIDELINES

by ibrahimmorsy

Brainstorming is defined as a means to generate as many ideas as possible from a group of people in a short time about:

To run a brainstorming session you need a group of willing people, a flip chart and pens.
It is also helpful if you are able to stick flip chart paper on the walls around the room.
State the problem / decision in a way that encourages quantity, i.e. “In how many ways can we…?”
Call for ideas and write them down immediately – DO NOT INDICATE JUDGEMENT – even through body language subconsciously,
Encourage quantity “Let’s see if we can reach 200…” If people dry up, go back over the ideas written up so far, they may spark off more.
Encourage laughter, people are more creative when relaxed and laughing.
At the end of the session, take the “wildest idea” and try to develop new ideas from it, new, and useful ideas are often generated from an apparently useless idea.
Use only 2 or 3 people to evaluate the ideas. Select the best ideas, then scrutinize them carefully against set criteria from this decision or problem.
Publish the results – ensure all those who took part in the brainstorm know what the final decision was!
It is essential you keep to the following rules,

Rule	Reason
Select a leader	The leader has responsibility for ensuring the rules are followed.
Write up the issue on a flip chart	This is a very broad statement about the topic. It should be visible during the session to insure every one remains focused.
Invite the group to give their ideas	The aim is to get as many ideas as possible Quantity NOT Quality
Write the ideas on a flip chart no matter how wild.	This will encourage participation and help make the session fun.
Avoid discussing the ideas generated.	Discussion should take place later … Once the ideas are sorted.
Stop the session when the group runs out of ideas.	Creative thinking techniques are quick and dirty. Don’t wast time if you are stuck.

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