Brainstorming

You've probably brainstormed before. But do you know the brainstorming rules? Today we'll practice them, and reflect on the relative differences between brainstorming and other types of ideation.

What is it? (5 min)

When compared to individual ideation, brainstorming is not a very productive form of idea generation because of:

• Fear of critique
• Social loafing (assuming others will do the work), and
• Production blocking (only one person can talk at a time)

To get around these, there are brainstorming rules:

• Focus on quantity
• Withhold criticism
• Unusual ideas are welcome
• Combine and improve ideas
• Elect a notetaker
• Write your own ideas while others are talking

Brainstorm (20 min)

Find a group of three. Try to generate at least 50 ideas on a piece of paper. We'll generate the problem to brainstorm on in class.

Critique (5 min)

As a group, discuss which of the ideas are most feasible to create and most profitable to build (from a business perspective). Choose one to share with the class.

Share! (5 min)

What did you come up with?

Reflection (5 min)

• What did it feel like to brainstorm relative to our earlier ideation?
• What was missing because you lacked context?
• What was difficult about brainstorming?
• Who loafed and why?

Credit

Sign the activity sheet for credit.