You’ve probably already brainstormed several times before as an informal way of getting in to a project and generating ideas. But if you’re not careful, you can end up finishing a brainstorming session with no real plan of action or benefit.
While it’s a more informal process, you still need to go in to it with a strong idea of what you want from the session to make the most of the time spent in it.
Planning your session
Decide on goals and objectives before you start dreaming up ideas, and have a clear sense of purpose. When will your project be finished, i.e. when will the end goal be achieved? Once you know this ultimate objective, keep it firmly in mind at all times, so all ideas help you reach it.
Leave the office
Brainstorming is informal, and creative, so consider getting out of the office. If there are no relaxed spaces in your building, think about using a local coffee shop to encourage creativity.
Timing is everything
Most of us aren’t at our best on Monday mornings or Friday afternoons. A midweek, morning gathering should work best. Think about when you are likely to be at your most productive and creative.
Keep your meeting to a strict time limit, of no more than two hours, and stick to it without running over or finishing early.
Appoint a chair at the start to keep things focused and running to time.
Making it visual
Capture everything that’s said in your brainstorming meeting. Recording all the ideas is more important than neatness! If you use a whiteboard, take a photo of it at the end so you can take the points away with you.
You can use the following to document your session:
- Mind maps – with every idea added to a line coming away from the circle at the centre, and linked thoughts branching out from the same line. Various mind mapping tools are available online
- A SWOT analysis – divide the page into four, with a heading for each section – Strengths, Weaknesses, Threats and Opportunities. You’ll be challenged to look at your problem from a fresh angle
- Post-It notes to help create layers of ideas
Remember there are no “bad” ideas, and no one should be ridiculed for anything they say.
Encourage everyone to put forward ideas, however strange they may seem at first. You need as many takes on the situation as possible.
Finally, make time afterwards to review all the ideas, and decide on the next steps. Make sure everyone can see their ideas are being used.
