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Definition of Brainstorming

Brainstorming is an informal process used to generate ideas about a topic. It involves freely associating ideas without criticism. The purpose of brainstorming is to work as a group to define problems and find solutions. An effective brainstorming process involves stating the problem, generating goals and objectives, and identifying resources, constraints, and strategies to address the problem. Group brainstorming allows multiple perspectives to be considered.

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146 views4 pages

Definition of Brainstorming

Brainstorming is an informal process used to generate ideas about a topic. It involves freely associating ideas without criticism. The purpose of brainstorming is to work as a group to define problems and find solutions. An effective brainstorming process involves stating the problem, generating goals and objectives, and identifying resources, constraints, and strategies to address the problem. Group brainstorming allows multiple perspectives to be considered.

Uploaded by

Payara Mirza
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Definition of Brainstorming

Brainstorming is an informal way of generating topics to write about, or points to


make about your topic. It can be done at any time during the writing process. You can
brainstorm the topics for a whole paper or just a conclusion or an example. The
important point about brainstorming is that there should be no pressure to be
"brilliant." Students should simply open their minds to whatever pops into them.
Think of it as a kind of free association. When I say "literacy" what pops into your
mind? Much of what the students will come up with will not be useful, but that's
okay. Part of brainstorming will involve a selection process.

Procedures And Process:


These guidelines will help you to lead a group to making decisions by consensus. The
technique can be used in a community meeting, in a meeting of the executive of a
community based organization, among managers of an NGO, in a Governmental
ministry or a UN agency management meeting, five to two hundred participants.

While you need good leadership qualities to conduct the session, and must be very
firm in ensuring that the format and ground rules of the session are followed (eg no
criticism or cross talk is allowed), you will be ensuring that the decisions are seen to
be that of the group, not imposed upon them by yourself. You facilitate creative group
decision making.

The Purpose of Brainstorming:

The purpose of a brainstorming session is to work as a group to define a problem, and


find, through a participatory intervention, the best group decision for a plan of action
to solve it.

Requirements:

1. A problem to solve;
2. A group with potential to work as a team. This works with a small
management or operational team of five to ten people (eg trainers, field
workers, a trade union), all the way up in size to a village meeting of a few
hundred people;
3. A board, large sheets of newsprint, or something that can be seen easily by all,
and some large markers to write on it; and
4. A facilitator (you). Someone who's task is to draw out the suggestions from
the participants, not to impose her or his own opinions, while still using
leadership skills to maintain the order and purpose of the session.

The Ground Rules:

 The facilitator leads each session;


 The facilitator calls for suggestions from the participants;
 No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed; and
 All suggestions should be recorded on the board (even the crazy ones).

The Procedure:

1. Define the problem:


o Ask for suggestions as to what is the most important problem;
o No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed;
o Write all the suggested problems on the board;
o Group together any problems that are similar or related; then
o Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important ones at the
top).
2. Generate the Goal:
o Reverse the definition of the problem (it's solution);
o The solution to the problem defined above is the goal;
o Define the goal as the solution to the problem;
o Write the goal on the board; then
o Remind the group that the goal is the one that they selected.
3. Define the Objective:
o Explain the difference between a goal and an objective;
The facilitator should know this: (See SMART; an objective is measurable,
finite, and has a completion date).

o Ask the group to suggest objectives;


o Write all the suggested objectives on the board;
o No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed;
o Group together any objectives that are similar or related;
o Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important at top); then
o Remind the group that they generated the top objective(s).
4. Identify resources and constraints:
o Ask the group to suggest resources and constraints;
o Write all the suggested resources and constraints on the board;
o No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed;
o Group together any resources that are similar or related.
o Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important at top).
o Remind the group that they, not you, generated the list;
o Group together any constraints that are similar or related.
o Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important at top); then
o Remind the group that they generated the arrangement of the list.
5. Identify a strategy:
o Ask the group to suggest strategies;
o Write all the suggested strategies on the board;
o No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed;
o Group together any strategies that are similar or related;
o Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important at top);
o Remind the group that they generated the list;
o Choose the strategy that remains at the top of the list.
6. Summarize on the board the group decisions:
o the problem;
o the goal;
o the objectives;
o the resources;
o the constraints; and
o the strategy;

Inform the group that they have produced a Plan of Action. If some one would
write down what was decided in each of the above categories, they would have
the essence of a standard planning document. Let them know that they have
produced it as a team, and that they "own" the plan.

Conclusion:

It is simple. That does not mean it is easy. It improves with practice. You can
intersperse the different phases of it with role playing, group games and other
techniques of group work. Experiment with it and try different styles.

Brainstorming Examples

By reviewing brainstorming examples and seeing how others use the brainstorming
process to overcome obstacles and achieve goals, we can begin to comprehend how
brainstorming can help fulfill our needs as well.

Group Brainstorming Examples

Oftentimes brainstorming is conducted as a group, with multiple individuals


contributing their knowledge and experience to the brainstorming process. Below are
some brainstorming examples that show how group brainstorming can benefit
individuals and organizations.

 A company may need to cut costs in order to meet budgetary requirements. The
department heads may meet to brainstorm on how to reduce expenses without
sacrificing resources.
 A company has an idea for a new product, but they aren't exactly sure how to
market the product to the public. Members of the marketing team may brainstorm
innovative marketing ideas that will ensure the product's success.
 A family member may be in financial crisis. Members of the family may brainstorm
to develop a solution for the family member in trouble.

Individual Brainstorming Examples

Individual brainstorming can also be a very valuable exercise. There are a number of
reasons why a person would brainstorm on an individual basis. These are just a few
individual brainstorming examples.
 A professional businesswomen in her thirties wants to change her career. She
doesn't know exactly what she wants to do, but she knows she isn't happy in
her current line of work. She conducts an intense brainstorming session to
determine which fields she should pursue.

 A son wants to get a very special gift for his parents' fiftieth anniversary, but
he's not sure what to get them. He brainstorms different gift ideas to find a gift
that will show his parents just how much he appreciates them.

 A department employee is being considered for a promotion and he wants to prove


that he's the best man for the job. He brainstorms different ways to demonstrate his
leadership skill, his value to the company and his management potential.

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