Wednesday, December 17, 2008

CY 101: Brainstorming

Many groups utilize the brainstorm. It is an easy, fun, and inclusive way to stimulate a group’s creative ideas on a particular topic. It does not take much effort to run a brainstorm and it speedily produces a wide range of ideas to be discussed, refined, developed, and eventually used.

How to:

  • Briefly introduce the topic you will be brainstorming and let the group know that they will be brainstorming. Use a sheet of butcher paper, a white board or something equally visible so that everyone can read all of the ideas that are thought up. Post up filled sheets of ideas around the room.
  • Before you start, review the “Rules of Brainstorming.”
  • Write down everything as it is said. Do not try to interpret, edit or reword the ideas.
  • When the list is completed, work with the group to find themes and to determine which of the brainstorm’s ideas can be further developed.

    The Rules of Brainstorming:
  1. Every idea gets written down, not put down. Everything is written down with no discussion, with no commentary, and with no censorship.
  2. Repeats are okay. Repeats are okay.
  3. The goal is quantity, not quality. The refining comes later. Initially, we just need as many ideas as possible.

No comments: