What techniques can you use to generate a large number of ideas during a collaborative brainstorming session?

1 Define the problem

Before you start brainstorming, you need to have a clear and specific definition of the problem you are trying to solve. This will help you focus your ideas and avoid wasting time on irrelevant or vague topics. You can use a simple question format, such as "How can we...?", "What if we...?", or "In what ways might we...?" to frame your problem. You can also use tools such as the problem statement, the five whys, or the fishbone diagram to analyze the root causes and effects of the problem.

2 Set the rules

To create a positive and productive brainstorming environment, you need to set some ground rules that everyone agrees to follow. Some of the common rules are: no judgment or criticism, quantity over quality, build on others' ideas, encourage wild and crazy ideas, and stay on topic. You can also set a time limit, a target number of ideas, and a facilitator role to keep the session on track and avoid distractions.

3 Use divergent and convergent thinking

One of the most effective techniques for generating a large number of ideas is to use divergent and convergent thinking. Divergent thinking is the process of generating many different and diverse ideas without evaluating them. Convergent thinking is the process of narrowing down and selecting the best ideas based on some criteria. You can use a variety of methods to stimulate divergent thinking, such as brainstorming questions, mind mapping, word association, SCAMPER, or random input. You can use methods such as dot voting, ranking, grouping, or SWOT analysis to facilitate convergent thinking.

4 Incorporate different perspectives

Another technique that can help you generate more and better ideas is to incorporate different perspectives from various sources. This can help you avoid groupthink, which is the tendency to conform to the dominant or common views in a group. You can invite people from different backgrounds, disciplines, roles, or experiences to join your brainstorming session. You can also use tools such as the six thinking hats, the four roles of the innovator, or the empathy map to adopt different mindsets and viewpoints.

5 Use online tools and platforms

If you are brainstorming with a remote or distributed team, or if you want to leverage the power of technology, you can use online tools and platforms that can enhance your brainstorming session. Some of the benefits of using online tools and platforms are: they can increase participation and engagement, they can capture and organize your ideas digitally, they can enable real-time collaboration and feedback, and they can offer various features and functions that can support your brainstorming process. Some examples of online tools and platforms that you can use are: Miro, Mural, Stormboard, or Ideaflip.

6 Review and refine your ideas

After you have generated a large number of ideas, you need to review and refine them to make sure they are relevant, feasible, and desirable. You can use techniques such as the five criteria for evaluating ideas, the Pugh matrix, the feasibility-viability-desirability framework, or the concept testing to assess and improve your ideas. You can also solicit feedback from your stakeholders, customers, or experts to validate and refine your ideas.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?