Brainstorming! What exactly is it?

Brainstorming: this is a tool or technique used to generate ideas or solutions for problems and challenges in a team. This is a very common statement where we see in our search engines. Now comes the thought “how can I make use of it in my work/project?“

To use this technique we need to storm the brain 😊 .. so lets start with 5 Ws & 1H as the technique:

#1 What is the purpose of Brainstorming?

We should have clarity on what is the problem that we are trying to address & solve the critical issues as a team. Then at a later stage, focus should be on a more in-depth discussion around the most important ideas and their planning & execution.

For example: I have too many tickets that are older than 30 days.

#2 Why should I use Brainstorming?

Given there are many other tools & techniques why should I choose this?

This technique promotes.

Creative thinking & bring a team together.
Help you land on the perfect idea.
Encourages Collaboration & bonding between the members.
If the team member presents the idea, they take the ownership of their idea till the execution is complete that way they are more responsible & accountable.

#3 When to use this Brainstorming?

Purpose of this techniques is to make the team feel productive, positive, accomplished, and energize. Hence, It helps in bringing the team together for yielding many possible solutions and enables the team to take the ownership of their idea for successful implementation. In turn this builds teams confidence & enthusiasm towards the work provided if this technique is dealt in right direction.

#4 Where to use Brainstorming?

This technique can be used within/outside our teams for any problem/challenge.

#5 Who should be invited?

Invite all the stakeholders who are directly/indirectly affected by this problem. Provided try to invite new people to the discussion.

# How to use?

Brainstorming technique has 3 stages

Capture the ideas
Sort & Discuss on the ideas generated
Select the idea that can solve our problem.

To pass the above stages there are multiple ways in these techniques like mind mapping, silent writing, round robin, Rapid ideation etc.

Facilitator should make sure all the invitees get a chance to bring their ideas to the table.
And don not judge the idea immediately. If required, encourage the team to visualize some ideas to resolve the problem statement. This will avoid gulf of evaluation 😊

Upon collecting/writing the list of ideas we should have an open discussion (within limited time period) on prioritizing the ideas that can provide the resolution to the problem statement. Thumb rule to implement Brainstorming session is to make sure we have clear & concise problem statement to be discussed.

Set the ground rules to avoid Unbalanced conversation, Awkward silence! And Disconnected teams.
Ensure that whole team is not taken over by one’s idea or quick thinkers should not dominate the conversations. Ground rules include setting up the agenda, time & venue for the discussion, preparation for the meeting same we do for retrospective. It is Organizer responsibility to bring the team together to yield perfect idea 😊

About Satya

Satya is a guest author on Project Management @ Zaidan. By profession she is a Project Management Practitioner and trainer. She comes with around 17+ Years of experience primarily from the Software Industry. She is certified on PMI PMP and ACP.

About Zaidan Consulting

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