The Right Way to Brainstorm

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  TomVisuals06/06/07 Report as spam
  1

  The Right Way to Brainstorm +

  Brian's post is excellent in how he simply explains the rules for setting up a
  brainstorming session. This is a creative process and any impediments, such
  as criticisms, in the initial stages are likely to sabotage the process. People are
  more likely and able to defend themselves if they are criticized about
  something in their field of expertise. However because so many people feel
  out of their league in a creative process, they are more likely to shut down
  their creative thinking if there is the threat, real or perceived, of taking flak for
  their ideas.
  
  I would also go one step further than the guidelines Brian describes by
  highlighting the idea of brainstorming as a creative, right-brain exercise. In
  order to get the most out of a session, the facilitator needs to employ right-
  brain tools and strategies to get the most out of your participants in the
  quickest period of time. Don't come to the meeting armed with spreadsheets,
  graphs, etc. These are left-brain tools and will squash the creative process
  faster than you can say Excel. These left-brain tools are best used for how the
  team is going to action the ideas generated from brainstorming. Two different
  processes for two different results; creative and actions.
  
  In my company, we use photographs to stimulate conversations originating
  from the right-brain whether the group is focused on teambuilding, strategic
  visioning, or brainstorming. The exercises are quick and fun, not to mention
  bountiful, because our process is all about the right or creative side of the
  brain. Once the ideas are generated and the insights gained then we will use
  other types of tools and processes to make them actionable.
  
  Tom Tiernan
  www.VisualsSpeak.com

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  mstpierre07/05/07 Report as spam
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  Icebreaker for Brainstorming session

  An icebreaker is also important to get everyone in the right frame of mind for a brainstorming session. One that has worked for me in groups where the participants range from SVP of Sales to Customer Service rep is to get everyone communicating on the same level by having them introduce themselves, but instead of giving "name/title/length of time with company" they must tell everyone something silly, like what their nickname would be if they were a professional wrestler.
  
  Michelle "T-bone" S.

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  mwmclean@...06/07/07 Report as spam
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  Back to Basics in Brainstorming

  1. State the purpose of the session i.e. is it about a problem, identify problems, solutions, causes of a problem, project selection or solution criteria, SWOT analysis, hazards, risks etc
  2. Request people to come along with some points as suggested, say three and if possible, some supporting data for those topics
  3. Take peope through some basic rules or code of conduct if needed - agree if it is to be Brainstorming and peroundrhaps Nominal Group Technique
  4. Request one idea per person per turn
  5. Record the idea as stated, no comment either +ve or -ve, perhaps a little clarification
  6. Seek votes or agreement for priorities of ideas
  7. Wrap up and minute the outputs and outcomes. Mike "mwmclean@wdscott.com"

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  jgunkler@...06/07/07 Report as spam
  4

  Brainstorming Methodology

  We sometimes like to use a "Say it, Write it, Toss it" method in our brainstorming. Here's how it works:
  
  1. Everyone in the (small) brainstorming group stands up around a table.
  2. Everyone holds in their hands a stack of 4 X 6 in. cards and a Sharpie pen.
  3. Follow normal brainstorming rules -- except when you offer an idea you first "Say it" aloud, then you "Write it" briefly on the card, then you "Toss it" onto the table.
  4. When you're done, you then have the option of sorting through the cards on the table to create an affinity diagram, or simply to look for combinations of ideas, etc.
  
  John Gunkler
  Lean Six Sigma consultant
  TrueNorth Development

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  jamie@...06/08/07 Report as spam
  5

  Brainstorming

  I use fantastic software to brainstorm - capture, group, prioritise, categorise, save as Word or Powerpoint, etc,etc. Happy to share.. get abck to me if you want to know more

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  jadeniran@...06/08/07 Report as spam
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  brainstorming methodology

  Hello,
  I am interested in the software for brainstorming. It is an issue at my end. It would be nice to use one.
  
  June

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  ksbarbour@...06/22/07 Report as spam
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  Brainstorming software

  I would be interesting in your brainstorming software.
  
  Thanks

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  jamie@...06/26/07 Report as spam
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  Software for brainstorming

  Hi June,
  
  Sorry for not getting back sooner - email me for more info on software for brainstorming : jamie@jamacdonald.co.uk

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  mfargas06/16/07 Report as spam
  9

  Remote brainstorming

  I?m interested too in the remote brainstorning.
  Thanks,
  Marcos

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  rdwollenberger06/20/07 Report as spam
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  Brainstorming software

  I'd like to know the software as well. Please reply

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  jamie@...06/26/07 Report as spam
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  Software for brainstorming

  Hi, Can you sent me your details at: jamie@jamacdonald.co.uk

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  itramesh07/05/07 Report as spam
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  More onthe software

  I want to know more about the software you use for brainstorming. Can you please share it with me?
  
  Thanks & regards,
  
  Ramesh
  Bangalore, India

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  willard.zangwill@...07/05/07 Report as spam
  13

  brainstroming software

  I also would like to know about the brainstorming software. What is it?
  
  willard.zangwill@chicagogsb.edu

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  schicken06/14/07 Report as spam
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  Remote Team bBainstorming

  Does anyone have any ideas on brainstorming across a number of different locations at the same time?

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  jentimus07/05/07 Report as spam
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  Remote brainstorming ideas

  If time differences don't prevent it, use WebEx, Meeting Manager, or some other internet-based 'live' meeting forum that allows document sharing. The note-taker is the typist.
  
  Otherwise, each location has a separate meeting, with notes published in Adobe PDF. Place notes in a shared resource location (document management system, ftp site, whatever) and use Adobe's commenting tools to facilitate sorting and identifying comments and ideas added by the other locations' teams (this is how I 'brainstorm' across the date ine and it works very well).

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  MichaelDeutch07/25/07 Report as spam
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  Brainstorming Remotely

  I work for Mindjet and we produce the software MindManager. One of the many uses of our software is brainstorming. At Mindjet, when we brainstorm with remote teams, we use MindManager along with 3rd party web / phone conferencing.

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  jamie@...06/26/07 Report as spam
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  Software for brainstorming

  Hi Karen,
  
  Apologies for not responding sooner.
  Email me your details : jamie@jamacdonald.co.uk

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  mdressler@...07/05/07 Report as spam
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  Give us the name...

  Not quite sure why you are requiring an e-mail exchange to get the software name? It's simple - I use... or I am from... we offer... I would be willing to bet you will generate more interest.

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  MichaelDeutch07/25/07 Report as spam
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  Try MindManager from Mindjet

  Disclaimer, I work for Mindjet. However, we use our products on a daily basis for brainstorming, strategic planning, project planning, requirements gathering, and more. You can try for free at our website.

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  deeanne34@...07/09/07 Report as spam
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  Brainstorming Software I have used

  I am a knowledge manager and I frequently hold meetings to brainstorm ideas to improve business processs and enhance our firm's internal SharePoint portal. When I facilitate these meetings I will often use Mindjet's product Mind Manager Pro. http://www.mindjet.com/us/
  
  It not only captures the information quickly, but it also allows the information to be grouped into main topics that can provide structure which leads to more ideas. Since it is not linear, new ideas can be added to different sections easily without slowing down the conversation. Once the ideas are captured in the mindmap, the ideas can dragged around to create a clearer picture of the new knowledge. The mindmap can then be exported to word, powerpoint, MS Project, etc. without having to retype anything.
  
  It is a great tool and has many uses.
  Dee Anne

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  jamie@...07/23/07 Report as spam
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  Software for Brainstorming

  I use MindGenius, I find it more user-friendly and intuitive than mindjets' mindmanager. However, like all these things it's a personal choice, but MindGenius is definitely worth a look - free full-product 21-day trial from www.mindgenius.com.(but get in touch with me if you take your interest further and want a deal on the price!)
  Jamie
  
  jamie@jamacdonald.co.uk

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  Harry@...07/25/07 Report as spam
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  Brainstorming

  I agree with the gist of the article, however I don't think you should even plant the seed that there are "outrageous ? or stupidest ? ideas". In the first phase of brainstorming, all ideas are equal. And in the second phase, when you start weeding out the chaff, you should steer clear of calling any ideas stupid. This harms any later brainstorming you may want to do. Here's a link to a piece I wrote on the subject: http://my-creativeteam.com/resources/thinking/thoughts_brainstorming.htm

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  Theotoks07/25/07 Report as spam
  23

  When you get to that "lull"...

  There's a great way to engender new ideas. Say the group has run out of steam, and you know you need some more ideas.
  
  Take a dictionary, open to random page and select a noun. Change the subject of the brainstorming briefly to creating a list of qualities associated with that word. When you've generated a list, stop, then go back to your original brainstorming task.
  
  You'll find yourself able to generate a ton more ideas!
  
  Patricia
  interactionassociates.com

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  nmanaloto11/27/07 Report as spam
  24

  List of Brainstorming Software

  Hey All,
  
  Here is a comprehensive list of brainstorming software from Wikipedia. Hope you can find the right one for you.
  
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mind_Mapping_software
  
  Personally I use Mindjet and Freemind (open source). I believe these tools are very useful and also makes work a lot of fun.