The best innovative ideas and creative solutions rarely emerge from isolated thinking. Teams will collaborate to generate fresh thinking, particularly within an organization. Ideation sessions have become increasingly popular in recent years, as they provide relatively structured opportunities for collaborative idea generation and problem-solving. Ideation uses deliberate techniques that help participants think creatively, contribute without fear of judgment and build on each other’s ideas. Whether the aim is to design a new product, solve a recurring issue or refine an existing process, the right ideation technique can make all the difference. Three popular and related ideation techniques are brainstorming, brainwriting and cheatstorming. Each method offers its own approach to gathering ideas, and each has distinct advantages and potential drawbacks. Understanding when and how to apply these techniques can help teams run more productive and inclusive ideation sessions. EXPLORING GROUP IDEATION TECHNIQUES: BRAINSTORMING, BRAINWRITING AND CHEATSTORMING EXPLAINED Brainstorming: Free-Flowing Group Creativity Brainstorming is perhaps the best-known ideation technique. It was developed in the 1940s by an advertising executive named Alex Osborn. Frustrated with the difficulty individuals faced when developing new ideas in isolation, Osborn had groups of employees tackle tasks together. Given a clearly defined problem, participants were invited to generate ideas collectively in a free-flowing, open discussion. The ground rules of brainstorming insist that all ideas are valid in the initial phases. The aim is to generate quality through quantity, so judgment is deferred, and even the wildest of ideas are encouraged. Unexpected suggestions will sometimes spark a breakthrough. In most forms of brainstorming, collaboration is encouraged. The aim is that each participant should not just contribute their own ideas but also build on other contributions. A successful brainstorming session starts with a clear and focused question, usually set out by a facilitator. The group is encouraged to think freely and voice their ideas openly, and the facilitator guides the process and captures any generated ideas. Time limits, set and monitored by the facilitator, can be useful to maintain energy and focus.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQ5NDA2