Introduction
Brainstorming is a method of generating creative ideas or solutions through spontaneous and unstructured participation. It involves gathering a group of people for a brief period of time to brainstorm the issue at hand, without any of the usual limitations or restrictions such as those found in conventional problem solving processes. Brainstorming can be an effective and inventive way to spur creativity in the workplace or in interpersonal relationships.
History
The concept of brainstorming originated in the 1940s and is credited to advertising executive Alex Faickney Osborn. Osborn believed that by allowing an uninhibited flow of ideas, anyone could come up with potential solutions. Osborn developed several principles for brainstorming and believed that everyone, regardless of their expertise or creativity, took part in the process, then “criticized, commented and supported each other’s ideas.” Since then, the concept of brainstorming has been applied in other disciplines, including management, education, engineering, and social sciences.
Principles of Brainstorming
Brainstorming works best when there are several principles in place that are followed by the participants.
Focus on Quantity: Osborn suggested that the more ideas generated by the participants, the more likely that a successful solution could be reached. Consequently, participants should be encouraged to produce as many ideas as possible and should not be deterred by quality, nor should ideas be criticized during the process.
Brainstorming is an Exercise of Free Association: Free association is a technique in which a person states whatever word or phrase comes to mind in response to a particular prompt. The goal is to remain as uncensored as possible in order to come up with the most original ideas.
Withhold Judgment: Once ideas have been generated, participants must agree to withhold judgment until the work session is complete. Otherwise, potential solutions will not be explored and progress is nothing more than conjecture.
Encourage Wild Ideas: Go beyond conventional ideas, and challenge the group to think outside the box. Wild, seemingly outlandish ideas can often trigger the best solutions that may otherwise not be thought of through traditional conversation.
Recruit the Best and the Brightest: Invite the most innovative people that your organization has to offer to join the discussion.
Process
Once the principles are established, the process of brainstorming can start. There are several steps involved:
Define the Problem: Make sure all participants understand the goal and purpose of the brainstorming session and come to a consensus about what needs to be solved.
Generate Ideas: Allow time for participants to come up with creative suggestions and solutions. This can be done through small group discussions, individual discussions, or a combination of both.
Organize the Ideas: Once the ideas have been gathered, the facilitator or leader should organize them into categories. It is important that everyone understands the organization of ideas so that no solution is overlooked or forgotten.
Evaluate the Ideas: Now is the time to evaluate the ideas and solutions that have been presented. This should involve an open-minded discussion of pros and cons of each solution.
Choose the Best Solution: After all the ideas have been discussed and the pros and cons evaluated, the group should decide on the best solution.
Conclusion
Brainstorming is an effective way to come up with new and creative ideas. By following the principles of brainstorming and following the appropriate steps, a constructive and successful brainstorming session can be achieved. Brainstorming can be used to generate ideas for problem solving, innovation, and strategy design. It can also be used as a tool to generate ideas for projects or tasks that require creative thinking.
