C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

1

Brainstorming

Table of ContentsOverview 2

The Brainstorming Technique 2

Rules of Brainstorming 3

The Procedure of Brainstorming 4

Uses of Brainstorming 5

Brainstorming with ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5 6

Conclusion 7

Useful Links 8

C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

2

C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

Overview

All organizations need to undergo changes. These changes are conditioned by both internal and

external factors - a constant improvement of its products and services, a higher level of customer

satisfaction and new innovative approaches are essential for survival in our world of intense

competition. Nowadays, changes are taking place at an even faster pace, fueled by technological

progress, globalization and the information revolution.

To implement these changes, an organization needs new ideas. But ideas dont just come into

existence by themselves - they are created by people. Creative people are the most valuable

resource of an organization and so every method must be used to make the best use of them and

harness their natural creativity.

This isnt always easy. You cant make a person be more or less creative. However, there are

methods and approaches which can help boost the potential of the brain and the generation of new

ideas. One such approach is Brainstorming.

The Brainstorming Technique

Brainstorming has a number of definitions, but most often is defined as a way of generating ideas

related to a specific topic. Usually brainstorming involves a group of people generating a lot of ideas

in a short period of time.

The key to brainstorming is putting off the process of evaluating ideas until a later stage. The

participants keep a record of their ideas as they come to mind, without thinking them over.

Unorthodox and unusual thoughts are welcome, and no criticism or justification is allowed in order

to encourage participation.

C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

3

Though one can brainstorm individually, the technique works better in a group, as ideas expressed

by one participant trigger more ideas from others, often based on associations, and the participants

can benefit from each others experience and knowledge.

A group brainstorming session is best conducted in a medium-sized room, with the participants

sitting so they can all see each-other. Ideas can be recorded on a whiteboard, sheet of paper, or on a

computer connected to an overhead projector. It is recommended that no distractions (e.g. phones,

clocks, etc.) are present.

A session ends once the supply of thoughts or ideas has been exhausted, or when the time given

for the session is up.

All the recorded ideas are then analyzed and grouped according to their usefulness and priority.

Brainstorming was originated in 1953 in a book called Applied Imagination by Alex F. Osborn.

The method is based on the assumption that one of the main obstacles for the generation of new

ideas is the fear of criticism - people often do not suggest ideas because of the possible skeptical

or even hostile attitude of their bosses and colleagues. The classic brainstorming technique,

suggested by Osborn, has two key principles: no immediate decisions are made on ideas, and

quantity breeds quality.

Rules of Brainstorming

Although brainstorming is a simple process, it has its rules. If they are not observed, its results may

be non-productive, or even counter-productive. Here are the basic rules:

Informal atmosphere

People feel more relaxed and more creative in an informal environment. Find a comfortable quiet

room (preferably one not used for regular meetings). Food, comfy chairs, coffee - anything that can

help people feel at ease.

C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

4

C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

Focus on quantity

The greater the number of ideas generated, the greater the chance of producing a radical and

effective solution. Every idea that is raised should be recorded for further analysis and discussion.

No analysis or criticism. At the idea generation stage, hold back from criticizing the authors of

ideas (both yours and other peoples). Many people are terrified of looking stupid in front of their

colleagues or superiors. Try to avoid this situation by creating a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Combine and improve ideas

At this stage the participants are asked to develop ideas suggested by others. For example, you

can combine elements of two or more suggested ideas. This approach leads to better and more

complete ideas.

Unusual ideas are welcome

Participants should free their minds to the maximum extent. Any ideas, even the most unorthodox

or unusual are welcome. Even if they seem too crazy to be feasible, they can be reworked to

something more appropriate later.

The best number of participants is 12, with a session lasting no more than 45 minutes.

The Procedure of Brainstorming

The brainstorming process normally consists of the following steps:

Step 1. Identify the need for brainstorming

First of all you need to decide if brainstorming would be the most appropriate method for solving

your problem. You need to have a topic to address. The results of the session must serve

a specific purpose.

Step 2. Form a work group

Decide who will take part in the session. There must be a chairman, who is the leader and facilitator

of the brainstorming session, and a person recording the ideas (or the chairman could do this) -

either on a whiteboard or computer.

C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

5

Step 3. Prepare for a brainstorming session

Before the session, you need to agree on the subject, choose a time and venue, and organize the

necessary resources that will be needed.

Step 4. Generate ideas

During the brainstorm session creativity may drop. Use questions to stimulate thought, such as;

What is the opposite of what we want?, What are our competitors doing?, How about looking at

this from another perspective? etc...

Step 5. Develop, organize, and prioritize ideas

Once the initial idea-generating stage has finished, use the group to review, develop and organize

the resulting ideas.

Step 6. Define the next steps

Decide what further action needs to be taken to move the successful ideas forward. Who does what

and when, etc...

Uses of Brainstorming

Brainstorming has many areas of application:

Development of new products

Problem solving

Project management

Business planning

Besides generating ideas, brainstorming has additional benefits. It increases the level of peoples

involvement and improves morale, as people work together on the solution to a problem. It also

creates an interactive and cheerful atmosphere.

C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

6

C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

Brainstorming with ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5

Software such as ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5 has a number of advantages over the traditional methods

for recording ideas such as flipcharts or whiteboards. The latter have physical size limitations, which

constrain the process as the number of ideas grows. Ideas become scattered around the room,

making it is easy to overlook important ideas. Further grouping and prioritizing of ideas is inconvenient

and requires a lot of effort. ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5 helps to avoid these problems.

Brainstorming in ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5 is easy thanks to the special Brainstorming view.

1. In this view you can specify the topic of the brainstorming session and record the ideas

as a list.

2. The countdown timer limits the session time.

C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

7

3. Once every idea has been recorded, you can switch to the Mind Mapping view to edit, develop,

remove or organize ideas by priority.

4. The final mind-map can be printed out and distributed among the participants, or uploaded to

a web site.

Conclusion

Brainstorming is a simple yet effective method for generating new ideas and solving problems,

which should not be overlooked. It can bring very different people to the process of finding solutions,

and when a successful result has been reached, the participants become strong supporters of

the technique. This method can be used productively by any organization in order to improve

the quality of team-work.

C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n C a p t u r e W h a t Y o u T h i n k , D o W h a t Y o u P l a n

8

Useful Links

Detailed overview of ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5:

http://www.conceptdraw.com/en/products/mindmap/overview.php

Download the 30-day trial version:

http://www.conceptdraw.com/en/resources/mindmap/download.php

Purchase ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5 online:

http://www.conceptdraw.com/en/purchase/mindmap/main.php