The key to successful brainstorming sessions is to engage everyone in the process. The atmosphere should be non-judgmental and the brainstorming session should be limited to thirty minutes. This will allow all participants to contribute ideas while reducing the time spent in evaluating each idea. The output of the brainstorming session will be a list of the most popular ideas, which will be evaluated for feasibility and innovativeness. The time limit should be strictly adhered to, since a longer brainstorming session will not lead to as many useful ideas as a shorter one.
Engage everyone in the brainstorming process
To engage everyone in the brainstorming process, create a welcoming environment. Communicate the scope of the brainstorming session. Give the team meaningful moments to share and keep the conversation focused. Encourage your team to contribute their ideas, and don't limit it to one or two ideas. You can always record the entire session and filter out the best ones later. This method is especially beneficial when it's difficult to balance solo work and brainstorming sessions.
It's important to remember that brainstorming isn't about coming up with the most innovative ideas, but it's about generating as many as possible. Try not to impose time constraints, and encourage people to make ideas without judgment. It is important to let go of social inhibitions and focus on generating ideas that are not necessarily suited to the task at hand. In fact, some of the best ideas can come from unlikely places, and the more diverse your group is, the more creative and innovative the final result will be.
Create a noncritical, nonjudicial atmosphere
To make a brainstorming session more productive, follow Alex Osborn's four rules. You should allow no criticism or evaluation of ideas, but you should encourage the participants to come up with outrageous solutions. While many of these solutions are wildly unoriginal, some kernels of truth are within them. You should also encourage everyone to build on one another's ideas. After all, it is not only your idea that counts, it is the whole group.
The first step in creating a productive brainstorming session is to set the mood. The discussion leader should make clear that no one is allowed to say anything negative, and that criticism will be held until after the brainstorming session. A playful atmosphere will help participants free their minds from negative thinking and open up new avenues. It will also encourage them to share their ideas without inhibitions. Here are some rules to create a noncritical, nonjudicial atmosphere while brainstorming:
Limit the session to 30 minutes
To maximize the benefits of your brainstorming session, limit it to 30 minutes. This will ensure that everyone has a fair amount of time to contribute. If possible, limit the session to one topic, such as a product or service. Aside from limiting the number of participants, setting a time limit will also prevent the participants from chatting over one another or waffling. You can also limit the length of the session by setting a mute button for people to avoid interruptions. Also, for successful brainstorming, consider dividing the team into smaller ones, each with ten minutes for each member to speak.
Limiting the session to 30 minutes also helps prevent distractions. When a brainstorming session drags on, people tend to buckle down and come up with fewer ideas. If you want to have a successful session, you should make the session as short as possible. Limit the session to 30 minutes, but make sure it's not longer than 60. The time limit may change depending on the nature of the issue and the number of participants, but a good rule of thumb is anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes.
Provide structure and focus
While brainstorming can generate hundreds of ideas, the facilitator should be able to guide the team through the process, focusing the discussion on the ideas with the most potential. This will prevent the discussion from veering off into uncharted territory. If possible, use visual aids to help the group connect ideas. If possible, set up a whiteboard so people can see and discuss ideas simultaneously. This can be especially useful for those who are more reserved.
When brainstorming, keep in mind that the creative energy of the group will fluctuate over time. A transformational idea might start out as a breath of fresh air, only to morph into a vexing piece of work. In both cases, there are moments of hope. The more you anticipate this turbulence, the better equipped you'll be to weather the storm. Don't allow yourself to get overwhelmed with pushbacks; instead, generate provocative questions that will keep the brainstorming process moving.
