Brainstorming Techniques

The group leader or facilitator to motivate groups and get the positive energy flowing for good ideas uses brainstorming methods. There are tons of brainstorming methods that used by thousands of group leaders and facilitators.

Word association is a brainstorming method in which the group members make lists for words given by the group. After several lists are made, a few words are picked from the lists to make questions to brainstorm additional ideas.

Brainstorming methods can be most interesting and unusual also. For example, group members presenting ideas to make a problem worse instead of ideas to resolve the problem. This is known as Paradoxical Intention. The result is a solution to the problem.

There are brainstorming methods that group leaders or facilitators create on their own. Ideas are always kept aside and presented at a time when the group seems to be running out of ideas. The leader or facilitator then offers their ideas to get the group motivated again.

Group members brainstorming to present ideas for the rules of conduct for a brainstorming session. This is one of the more poplar brainstorming methods. The goal of this method is to make the group aware of the rules and to take responsibility in enforcing them.

Making small teams out of a large group makes the members more comfortable especially the ones that tend to be shy or soft spoken. Small groups are less intimidating.

Brainstorming methods come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For example, when the leader or facilitator sees the group is "winding down" they reread all the ideas that have been presented so far. This often stimulates the group to add on to existing ideas creating improved ideas.

The use of props is also popular among brainstorming methods. Props are presented to the group, and then each group member offers an idea as to how to use the prop. The props could be anything from household items, pieces of clothing to office supplies. A belt could be a headband for a samurai warrior. The objective of this method is to have each group member open their minds and get the creative juices flowing.

Individuals brainstorming by themselves have a variety of brainstorming methods at their fingertips. For example, when students need to write an essay on a particular topic they often are stumped how to start the essay. A poplar method is to sit down with a blank sheet of paper and writing everything that comes into your head whether it is related to the topic or not. As you are writing, circle anything that pops in your head. This method is usually timed for approximately 15 minutes, after which the writer would look at what they wrote and picks out the ideas.

On the list of the more unusual brainstorming methods is called the Round Robin technique. A group of members calls out one idea at a time. This method is time for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and continues around the circle until the time is up.