Generate a high volume of ideas quickly by having participants write and build on concepts simultaneously and silently.
Brainwriting is a silent, written ideation technique where participants generate and build on ideas independently, giving every voice equal weight.
Brainwriting is a silent, written alternative to traditional verbal brainstorming that gives every participant equal opportunity to contribute ideas. Instead of speaking ideas aloud one at a time, each participant writes their ideas on paper or cards, then passes them to the next person who reads and builds on them. This rotation continues for multiple rounds, creating chains of ideas that evolve and improve through collaborative iteration. UX researchers, product teams, and workshop facilitators use brainwriting when group dynamics might otherwise suppress participation, such as when teams include a mix of introverted and extroverted members, when organizational hierarchy inhibits open sharing, or when cross-cultural communication barriers make verbal ideation difficult. The method is remarkably efficient: because everyone writes simultaneously, a group of six can generate 108 ideas in just 30 minutes using the classic 6-3-5 format. Brainwriting produces a built-in written record that eliminates the need for separate documentation and ensures no ideas are lost. It works equally well in person and remotely, making it one of the most versatile ideation techniques available to modern design teams.
Invite a diverse group of participants with different perspectives and roles to ensure a comprehensive brainstorming session. Aim for 5-10 participants.
Clearly explain the topic or problem that the group will be addressing. Define the objectives and goals for the brainwriting session.
Provide each participant with index cards, pens or pencils, and some space to write. You can use a large table, individual desks, or a digital tool if the session is held remotely.
Ask participants to write down one idea per index card. They should aim for writing 3-5 ideas within a set timeframe (usually 5-10 minutes). Encourage participants to work silently and independently.
After the time runs out, ask participants to pass their stack of index cards to the person sitting on their left. Each participant should review the previous person's ideas and build upon or generate new ideas based on those.
Like in the first round, participants should write down 3-5 ideas within the set timeframe. Emphasize on developing existing ideas or come up with new ideas.
Continue rotating and writing new ideas for at least three rounds. You can adjust the number of rounds based on the desired depth and comprehensiveness.
Collect all index cards and group them into categories based on themes or topics. This will help identify patterns, connections, and areas of interest.
Invite participants to review the categorized ideas and encourage discussion, clarification, and elaboration. Have the group prioritize the most promising, innovative, or important ideas.
Decide on the next steps using the prioritized ideas - assign responsibilities, develop a timeline for implementation, and decide on any additional resources needed.
After a brainwriting session, the team will have a large collection of written ideas, typically 50 to 108 or more depending on group size and number of rounds. Because ideas pass through multiple contributors, many will have evolved through iteration, combining elements from different participants into more developed concepts. The built-in written documentation means nothing is lost or forgotten. Teams will have categorized these ideas into themes, identified the most promising concepts through voting or discussion, and assigned next steps for further development. The inclusive process ensures that quieter team members have contributed equally, often surfacing perspectives that verbal brainstorming would have missed.
Write clearly and legibly so other participants can easily read and build on your ideas during rotation rounds.
Set strict time limits for each round, as time pressure often produces more creative and spontaneous results.
Ask participants to build on and evolve previous ideas rather than just adding unrelated concepts to create idea chains.
Try the classic 6-3-5 format: 6 participants write 3 ideas in 5 minutes per round for a structured, high-output session.
Provide clear prompts or starter phrases to help participants who struggle with blank-page anxiety at the start.
Use brainwriting for remote teams via shared documents or digital whiteboards where real-time verbal discussion is difficult.
Compare results from brainwriting versus verbal brainstorming on similar problems to understand your team's dynamics.
When using the 6-3-5 method, ask for concise explanations of each idea rather than just keywords or short phrases.
Ideas that cannot be read cannot be built upon. Emphasize legibility at the start and consider providing thick markers rather than pens. For remote teams, use digital tools that avoid this problem entirely.
Single-word ideas or vague phrases are difficult for the next person to understand or build on. Ask participants to write a brief explanation (one to two sentences) for each idea, not just a label.
If participants ignore the ideas they receive and only write new unrelated ones, the method loses its iterative advantage. Explicitly instruct participants to read, build on, or combine previous ideas before adding new ones.
Extended time per round leads to overthinking and reduced spontaneity. Keep rounds to 5 minutes maximum to maintain the creative pressure that produces unexpected ideas.
Collecting dozens of idea cards without organizing them leads to a chaotic pile that is difficult to evaluate. Always include a categorization and clustering step before moving to prioritization.
Clear explanation of the method, rules, and process for all participants.
Structured templates where participants write and develop ideas during rounds.
Time management tool set for designated intervals per round.
Visual format organizing generated ideas into themes and pattern clusters.
Predetermined guidelines for assessing feasibility and value of each idea.
Method for participants to vote on and rank their preferred ideas.
Compilation of top-ranked ideas selected for further exploration or testing.
Report highlighting key insights, idea trends, and outcomes from the session.