Businesses and organizations regularly require issues bothering on their activities to be researched from time to time to develop solutions and generate ideas.
These tasks are sometimes carried out by single individuals, while at other times it may involve teams or groups. But most importantly, brainstorming activities are done using techniques which have been around for ages and are still used to ignite the creative juice and get ideas flowing.
Brainstorming is a creativity technique by which team members work towards idea generation through freewheeling group discussions. Brainstorming activities seek to generate new ideas and solutions on specific areas of interest by eliminating impediments and providing a free atmosphere where people are neutral in applying their thoughts for spontaneous generation of new ideas.
Brainstorming Technique
Creative thinking process and models have given rise to several creative thinking and brainstorming exercises. Below are examples of brainstorming techniques as used by businesses and companies to improve work output.
- Individual Brainstorming
This method is best for teams with introverted participants. In this activity type, the team leader shares the topic and allow team members to work individually, devoid of influence by other team members. This helps to eliminate the problems of popular opinion which constantly beset teams.
- Electronic brainstorming
The invention of email and other messaging platforms provide yet another opportunity for team collaboration and idea generation. However, other collaboration tools are now available which provide increased flexibility for this purpose like Sinnaps Project Management tool which makes it even easier for teams to work remotely leveraging a central online platform that encourage team members to generate and share ideas.
Social Kanban
- Rapid Ideation Technique
There are times when it is desired that brainstorming solutions be developed quicker. It is at such times that the rapid ideation technique come in handy. It is often seen as a last resort and does not often involve participants who are new to brainstorming.
- Question Brainstorming
In this example of creative thinking activity for employees, emphasis is laid on brainstorming the question as against coming up with immediate answers and short-term solutions. The answers to the question which is considered therefore forms a framework for constructing future action plan.
- Nominal Group Technique
This seeks to improve creativity management in businesses by asking participants to write out ideas unanimously. The ideas are collected and the best distilled by means of a vote. The top ranking ideas can then be further passed on to groups or sub-groups for further brainstorming.
- Group Passing Technique
This requires members to sit in a circular position while each participant is required to write down an idea and pass it on to the next team member. By the time the papers circle back to their original owners, a lot of ideas may have already been elaborated upon.
- Guided Brainstorming
Brainstorming sessions exist where participants are required to adopt different mindsets throughout a pre-defined period of time, while contributing ideas towards a multi-perspective point of view. All causes for conflicts are eliminated and conversations are constrained towards obtaining optimum results.
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Creative Brainstorming Ideas and Methods
Creative brainstorming ideas can improve your abilities by showing you how to think creatively, by providing the means for you to think outside the box. Several methods exist on how to improve creative thinking; Some examples of creative thinking activities for employees include the following:
- Identify the goal before a session is started
- Intimate the group on the intent of the meeting
- Appoint a leader or moderator for the session
- Participants should be drawn from a diverse group
- Every idea and points as is developed during stages of creative thinking must be written down
Idea Generation and Brainstorming Tools
Idea generation and brainstorming tools and techniques have been very popular among business leaders and employers for a while. Some of them include:
- Sinnaps
- Mindomo
- Stormboard
- Idea Generation
Sinnaps Project Management Tool is ideal for mapping out ideas, setting timelines, improving project details as well as real-time collaboration and idea sharing among teams. It features a rather very simple and easy to use interface and permits customization as is unique to any particular purpose.
Free online Project Management course
If done correctly, brainstorming provides creative management in business and a host of other advantages. It however only remains to follow a few basic rules which will quickly inspire concept and ideas in the heart of participants, leading to marked improvements in performance.
