Brainstorming Techniques

Get warmed up and help the creative juices flow with brainstorming exercises. Brainstorming exercises are led by trainers who are experienced in creating brainstorming sessions and skilled in various brainstorming techniques.

Once the trainer has established the goal of the brainstorming session, each participant should offer only one idea. Using a flip chart, the trainer writes down each idea. Once all the participants have offered one idea, the session continues with each participant offering another idea, until the group has run out of ideas. The goal of this exercise is for the group to generate ideas. At the same time the trainer analyzes the pattern of flow of ideas from each participant.

The trainer of brainstorming exercises also uses props to keep the session interesting and fun. For example, the trainer may use a ball to make the session relaxed. When each participant catches the ball, they have 3 seconds to give an idea. If the participant cannot come up with an idea, they say "I pass it on", and throws the ball to the next participant. The trainer can add a bit more fun to the exercise by putting a piece of scotch tape on the forehead of any participant that does not give an idea. The one with 3 pieces of scotch tape on their foreheads is eliminated from the session. The result is one person left who is crowned the champion of ideas. The goal of this exercise is for the participants to gain speed in offering ideas, to be spontaneous with ideas, and to increase the amount of ideas they give.

One of the more popular brainstorming exercises for individuals is to write all thoughts on a blank sheet of paper. As the thoughts progress the ones that immediately stand out are circled. This exercise can be timed for approximately 15 minutes. When the time is up, the writer looks at the paper and makes a list of all the ideas that are circled. The goal of this exercise is to stimulate the mind for a constant flow of ideas. Brainstorming exercises are great if you don't mind brainstorming by yourself. Some people need to bounce their ideas off of other people in order to assure themselves that it's a good idea. But if you are the type that likes brainstorming alone and fine with the idea that you have to validate your own ideas, then individual brainstorming will prove to be a very effective process.

Brainstorming exercises can be given by a group leader instead of a trainer. One of the more interesting brainstorming exercises is the use of selected items chosen by the group leader. These items are used as props and each participant offers an idea on what the item could be used for. For example, if a belt is chosen, a participant may offer the idea that it is a head band for a for a karate instructor. The purpose of this exercise is to have all the participants open their minds to start the flow of positive ideas.