This time, I would like to introduce brainstorming, a technique used especially often in situations that call for ideas.
Although it is already a well-known technique, some people may be unfamiliar with it, so I have put together this material. We will now explore what brainstorming is and how to conduct it.
What Is Brainstorming?
Arrange the seating so participants can sit together in a circle or a similar formation
Generally, brainstorming is a meeting technique in which about 5–7 people sit together and freely share their opinions to generate creative ideas. Participants freely express their opinions without having their ideas evaluated, and multiple people continually build up these opinions.
In brainstorming, it is important for all participants to actively offer ideas, and it is important that no one criticizes, praises, or comments on them. This is because this meeting method emphasizes the quantity of ideas over their quality.
Actively offering ideas is a must! And record them all
However, when a participant offers an idea, proposing a more developed opinion based on that idea is strongly encouraged. Someone must also make sure to record every idea presented this way, and it is effective for participants to conduct the meeting while looking at the recorded content.
How to Conduct Brainstorming
Using a blackboard or sticky notes makes the meeting more effective.
A brief look at the process for starting and conducting brainstorming is as follows.
- Explain to the meeting participants the purpose of the brainstorming session and how it will be conducted.
- Set a time limit for each person and begin, to draw out ideas quickly.
- As ideas emerge, conduct the meeting using a blackboard, sticky notes, or similar tools so participants can immediately see other people's ideas.
This is how to conduct a basic brainstorming session, and the principles to understand before holding the meeting are as follows.
The Principles of Brainstorming
Brainstorming Emphasizes the Quantity of Ideas
- A group of people offers more ideas than one person does.
- As ideas accumulate and grow in number, the likelihood of increasingly good ideas emerging rises.
- Generally, when no criticism is offered, ideas continue to grow in number.
We have now explored the principles and methods of brainstorming, a technique used to discover ideas.
Understanding these characteristics of brainstorming, its meeting methods, and the principles behind it will help you conduct meetings smoothly in situations that call for ideas.
