Brainstorming and Meetings

Agenda Overview Brainstorming objectives Rules Conducting Productive Meetings Summarize Next steps

come up with ideas that can at first seem to be a bit crazy. What is Brainstorming? Brainstorming combines a relaxed, informal approach to problem-solving with lateral thinking. It asks: come up with ideas that can at first seem to be a bit crazy. This approach aims to get people unstuck, by "jolting" them out of their normal ways of thinking. The idea here is that some of these ideas can be crafted into original, creative solutions to the problem you're trying to solve, while others can spark still more ideas.

Ideas should only be evaluated at the end of the brainstorming continue During brainstorming sessions there should therefore be no criticism of ideas: Ideas should only be evaluated at the end of the brainstorming You are trying to open up possibilities and break down wrong assumptions about the limits of the problem. Judgments and analysis at this stage stunt idea generation. session – this is the time to explore solutions further using conventional approaches.

Brainstorming Objectives Describe the objective(s) of the exercise New product or service ideas? New feature ideas? Feature/product naming? Promotion ideas? New process for doing something? Define top requirements or restrictions

Some Steps Appoint facilitator/recorder Allow the group a few minutes to record first thoughts silently Go around one at a time record each idea/phase. “PASS” if nothing comes to mind. Classify ideas then pick 4-5 top ideas. Discuss the ideas and come to consensus

As facilitator and recorder Your job as facilitator is to: encourage everyone to participate, to dismiss nothing, and to prevent others from pouring scorn on the wilder suggestions (some of the best ideas are initially the daftest ones - added to which people won't participate if their suggestions are criticized). With the group, assess, evaluate and analyze the effects and validity of the ideas or the list. Develop and prioritize the ideas into a more finished list or set of actions or options. Your job as a recorder is to: record every suggestion on the flip-chart. At the end of the time limit or when ideas have been exhausted, use different colored pens to categorize, group, connect and link the random ideas Condense and refine the ideas by making new headings or lists You can diplomatically combine or include the weaker ideas within other themes to avoid dismissing or rejecting contributions (remember brainstorming is about team building and motivation too - you don't want it to have the reverse effect on some people).

Rules No idea is a bad idea Be creative Take risks No criticism allowed

Summarize Review ideas Vote on top candidates and consolidate Check requirements and restrictions Trim list to top 5-10 ideas

Describe what happens next: Next Steps Describe what happens next: Research the ideas generated? Follow up with larger group? Generate action items for follow-up: Start turning ideas into reality

Guidelines for Productive Meetings Use agendas Have a facilitator Take meeting minutes Draft next agenda List action items Adhere to the “100-mile rule”

Any Questions?