Tools used in a brainstorming session
Using conceptual maps for ideas generation
The conceptual map is a term which describes a visual language. The conceptual maps are represented through labelled nodes (rectangles, circles or ovals) and labelled arcs which interconnect nodes. From the point of view of brainstorming, conceptual maps are non-formal structures. Each person draws concepts and links between concepts.
Software tools to hold a brainstorming session.
Brainstorming forms
The forms of brainstorming are: classical brainstorming and advanced brainstorming
Classical Brainstorming is the brainstorming until now discussed. Advanced brainstorming is a better brainstorming session which follows the classical rules, but is improved upon by using specialized techniques and tools.
The modern tools and techniques used in advanced brainstorming are:
- Brainstorming software tools: brainstorming toolbox, software to generate conceptual maps;
- Creative thinking techniques: random word technique, random picture technique, False Rules technique, scamper method, analogies, role play, Alexander technique [more info].
Conclusions
Brainstorming is not the only method to generate ideas. However, brainstorming is the first and simplest of these methods. To see other methods click here.
Example
Problem: get new customers for a market.
Steps to be followed in organising a brainstorming session:
- Selection of a facilitator (she/he has to have good communication skills, hold a certain level of authority in the group).
- The facilitator raise the problem: How can you get new customers? He writes down on a board the problem.
- Set up the rules of the session: limit time: 20 minutes, anyone can produce any idea about the problem, every participant has to respect the idea of his colleague.
- The participants at the session start to issue ideas. The scriber draw a map (star form, with all ideas).
- The facilitator summarises the ideas.
- Set up the criteria to mark the ideas: 1- cost; 2- should be solved with the actual employers; 3- speed of implementation; 4- implementation difficulty.
- Marking ideas:
The score for each criteria is from 1 to 5 .
|
|
Criteria no, 1 |
Criteria no, 2 |
Criteria no, 3 |
Criteria no, 4 |
Average |
|
Advertising |
3 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
3,5 |
|
Advertising
Posters |
5 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
|
Must be continuous |
3 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
3,5 |
|
Media |
1 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
|
Newspaper
|
4 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
3,75 |
|
New products
|
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4,5 |
|
Garden products |
5 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
|
Sports products |
3 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2,5 |
|
New payments facilities
|
3 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
3,75 |
|
Monthly payments |
4 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
|
Advance 0 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2,25 |
|
First payment after two month |
1 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2,25 |
|
Promotional supply |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
|
Buy a product get a new product with low price |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4,75 |
|
Decrease prices |
3 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4,25 |
- Inform the group about the idea selected and make an implementation plan.
See the picture: the ideas that have been discarded are crossed with a red line.
(click on image for a larger view)
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