How to Make Brainstorming Tools More Effective?

A brainstorming process is aimed to solve problems and generate brilliant product solutions. You’ve probably used it at least once, even if you don’t realize it.

That’s because a brainstorming session may take different forms and formats.

What is this tool about?

Brainstorming is a mostly informal approach to solve problems with lateral thinking that encourages people to come up with their thoughts and ideas. Brainstorming sessions should avoid criticizing or rewarding ideas. It is also important to evaluate ideas at the end of the session.

Any brainstorming should provide a free and clear environment that encourages everyone to participate, bring people diverse experience into play.

The recent post on Hygger blog identifies two kinds of brainstorming sessions – individual brainstorming and a group one.

Brainstorming types

• Individual brainstorming produces better ideas than group brainstorming sessions. It usually happens because groups are not always strict in following the rules of brainstorming. During the individual brainstorm, you don’t need to worry about other people’s opinions and you can be more creative.
• Group brainstorming is about the more people you have, the more experience and creativity of all team members you’ll get. When one person gets stuck with an idea, another member’s creativity and experience can assist. You can develop ideas in greater depth with a group of people. Do not gather big groups, 5-7 participants are usually most effective.

How to make a brainstorming more effective?

There are some basic rules you may follow to maximize the number of ideas that you can generate and make brainstorming better:

• Brainstorming environment. Set up a comfortable meeting environment: check the room and all the tools needed. Define who will participate in the meeting. Involve people from a wide range of disciplines and invite team members, who have different thinking styles.
• Discussion process. Guide the discussion in the way to develop other people’s ideas. Encourage participants to develop their ideas and contribute and discourage anyone from criticizing. It’s better to stick to one conversation at a time.
• Problems presentation. Try to communicate the problem that you want to solve clearly. You should create the environment to generate as many ideas as possible and explain to all participants that this is the main objective. Give people plenty of time at the very start of the session.

No doubt, effective brainstorming will lead to the great product results! Hope this was helpful!