4.3. 635-Method

Introduction
 
In 4.2 Brainstorming was presented as a useful tool for developing innovative solutions. Method 635 is a kind of brainstorming but it is carried out in a group and in written form.
 
New ideas can be discovered and developed in the way that ideas of the participants are adopted and further developed. This way, the creative potential of a group can be used. Like brainstorming, this will be especially useful if experts in different fields of knowledge and levels of qualification participate in the session.

 

4.3.1. What is Method 635?

What is Method 635?
 
Brainstorming allows the collection of ideas which are presented by the participants orally, Method 635 principally does the same but the collection of ideas is carried out on paper, it’s a sort of brainstorming on a sheet of paper, it’s "brainwriting".
 
The name derives from the basic principle of the method:
 
 
What can Method 635 be used for?
 

 

4.3.2. How to use Method 635?

Prerequisites:
 
Proceedings for using Method 635:
 
As pointed out before, this method is used for finding/collecting ideas.
 
6 participants meet in order to further develop 3 ideas 5 times.
 
Practically, this means following the 10 steps shown below:
 
 
 

 

4.3.3. Application Example

Problem: How can we improve the knowledge of English in the service department?
A1 Evening classes
A2 Motivation for holiday abroad
A3 “English speaking day” each week in the department
A Nikos
B1 Evening classes paid by the company
B2 Motivation for summer university in England
B3 Project meetings in English
B Vlad
C1 Evening classes with 2 hours off to prepare for the evening classes
C2 Contribution by the company for summer university in GB
C3 Conversation circle once a month after work
C Annelie
D1 2 hours per week with a teacher in the company
D2 Higher remuneration for a certified qualification
D3 English version of professional literature
D Linda
E1 e-learning with a tutor and classes in the company
E2 English “library” at the company
E3 Conversation circle with foreign colleagues from the company
E Laila
F1 Intensive course twice a year on the weekend
F2 Going to the Irish pub as often as possible
F3 Intercultural evenings with foreign colleagues from the company
F Caron

 

4.3.4. Pros and Cons of the method 635

Possible advantages:
 
Possible disadvantages:
 
  • The method is very easy to use.
  • The method doesn’t require a special qualification for moderation.
  • The innovative potentials of a group can be used (experts in different fields of knowledge).
  • All participants are active (not necessarily achieved by a brainstorming session).
  • It is useful if there are conflicts in the group (conflicts in a group could have a negative effect when using the oral method of brainstorming).
  • A useful idea is systematically developed further.
  • The "author" of a creative idea can be identified.
  • Some participants might have problems describing their ideas concisely so that the idea is not clear enough for the other participants (handwriting must also be clear!).
  • As there is a fixed time limit of five minutes, participants might feel pressured and restricted in their thinking.

As there are obviously more pros than cons, it’s worth a try!

 

4.3.5. Resources

Downloads:
Literature:
If you use a search machine like google and search under “methode 635”, you will find that there are a lot of explanations given in GERMAN. Most websites present more or less the same information about the method, sometimes with slight modifications like:
 
 
However, when entering the English word “method”, no information about this creative method could be found, only some information about physical analyses. We therefore hope the description was clear enough. If you have any further questions you may contact the author of this component under info@pro-kompetenz.de