Participatory Methods
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a collaborative ideation technique where teams generate a large volume of ideas without judgment. By encouraging free thinking and building on others' concepts, it unlocks creative solutions to design challenges. This method energizes teams during the early stages of projects and helps break through conventional thinking patterns to discover innovative approaches.
Goal
Generate Ideas
Group
Qualitative Research
Users
Direct User Involvement
Overview
Brainstorming is a widely-used creative problem-solving method where team members collaboratively generate a large number of ideas without judgment. It encourages free thinking and creativity, allowing for the exploration of unconventional solutions. By fostering an open and inclusive environment, brainstorming helps teams break out of conventional thinking patterns, encouraging innovation. It's valuable in the early stages of project development, where broad thinking can lead to fresh insights and diverse perspectives.
Step-by-Step Procedure
10 steps to complete
1
Define the problem
Identify the issue you want to address or the topic you want to explore. Set clear objectives and goals for the brainstorming session. This step helps to create a proper context and scope for the brainstorming activities.
2
Select participants
Gather a diverse group of people, ideally between 5-12 participants. A mix of roles, experiences, and perspectives can contribute to a productive brainstorming session. Ensure everyone involved understands the brainstorming process and feels comfortable speaking up.
3
Prepare materials
Gather all necessary materials for the brainstorming session, such as whiteboards, markers, post-it notes, and any relevant resources or research. Create an open, comfortable environment that encourages interaction and collaboration.
4
Establish ground rules
Set the rules for the brainstorming session to create an open and respectful atmosphere. Encourage open-mindedness, discourage criticism or judgment of ideas, and emphasize quantity over quality of ideas. Encourage participants to build on and combine ideas.
5
Begin brainstorming
Begin the brainstorming session by presenting a clear problem statement or question. Encourage all participants to share their ideas, no matter how unorthodox they may seem. As ideas are shared, write them on a whiteboard or post-it notes, so everyone can see them.
6
Encourage active participation
As the facilitator, ensure that all participants are actively engaged in the process and feel comfortable sharing their ideas. Keep the discussion focused on the objective and encourage participants to think outside the box.
7
Time management
Keep track of the time during the brainstorming session, and set a specific time-frame for the activity (e.g., 30-45 minutes). This helps to maintain focus and energy levels among the participants.
8
Review and evaluate ideas
At the end of the brainstorming session, review all the ideas generated. Narrow down the ideas to the most promising ones, then further evaluate and discuss their feasibility, relevance, and potential impact.
9
Determine next steps
Create an action plan, outlining the next steps to be taken based on the selected ideas. Identify tasks, responsibilities, and timelines for further development or implementation of the chosen ideas.
10
Follow-up
Ensure there is appropriate follow-up after the brainstorming session. Regularly evaluate progress and make adjustments as necessary, based on the chosen ideas and their advancement. Share any updates and outcomes with the participants and stakeholders.
Method Complete
Real-World Examples
See how this method is applied in practice
Mobile Banking App Feature Ideation
A product team held a brainstorming session to generate ideas for improving their mobile banking app's money transfer experience. Using the '6-3-5' variant, six participants each wrote three ideas in five minutes, then passed papers to build on others' concepts. This produced 108 initial ideas which were then clustered into themes: instant transfers, scheduled payments, group splitting, and international options. The session uncovered the novel concept of 'payment shortcuts' based on transaction history, which became a key feature.
Healthcare Portal Redesign Ideas
A cross-functional team including doctors, nurses, and UX designers brainstormed ways to improve patient appointment scheduling. Participants used 'Crazy 8s' technique where everyone sketched eight different solutions in eight minutes. Ideas ranged from practical (calendar integration, reminder system) to unconventional (gamified waiting lists, AI-powered scheduling assistant). The session generated 56 unique concepts, with the top 10 prioritized using dot voting for prototyping.
Deliverables
What you'll produce from this method
Idea Collection
A list, spreadsheet, or document containing all ideas generated during the brainstorming session. This should include concepts, potential solutions or features, and any other thoughts that emerge during the process.
Categorized Ideas
A document, spreadsheet or visual representation where ideas from the Idea Collection are grouped into categories or themes based on their similarities or relation to the problem being addressed.
Prioritized Ideas
A list or spreadsheet of ideas sorted by their potential impact or relevance to the project. This prioritization helps the team focus on the most promising concepts for deeper exploration.
Action Items
A list of specific tasks or steps that members of the team must complete to explore, test, or move forward with the prioritized ideas. Each action item should have an owner and deadlines to ensure accountability.
Sketches and Wireframes
Rough visual representations of some of the ideas generated during the brainstorming session. These sketches and wireframes facilitate communication and further exploration of concepts among members of the team.
Meeting Notes
A document summarizing the key points, insights, or discussions that arose during the brainstorming session. These meeting notes help keep participants aligned and informed after the meeting has ended.
Brainstorming Session Recording
An audio or video recording of the brainstorming session, which serves as a reference for participants and stakeholders who want to revisit the conversation or ideas generated during the meeting.
Assessment Criteria
A document outlining the criteria and considerations used during the prioritization and evaluation of ideas from the brainstorming session. This helps maintain transparency and objectivity in decision-making processes.
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