Then the email pops up saying that we want to get together for a brainstorming session the next day. The topic is clear, and then what? Yes, then you sit in a meeting, scribble on a piece of paper or play with ideas that never quite fit. In the end, a few concepts have been wrested with great effort and hardship, and something sensible should emerge from them. Nobody likes unproductive meetings, and here’s whyThere are some techniques for organizing a brainstorming meeting so that results are on the table at the endthat really help you get ahead.
Better brainstorm for better ideas
You're sitting in a brainstorming session and suddenly you have an idea that you think is brilliant. You bring them into the group with great enthusiasm - only to immediately hear: "That's been tried before and it didn't work" or "We'll never get the budget for that." With a little more preparation, a brainstorming meeting can produce really good results.
What exactly is brainstorming?
Brainstorming is a method for promoting creativity that was developed by Alex F. Osborn in 1939. Frustrated by the rigid structure of corporate meetings, Osborn sought a way to support creative thinking. The term itself is based on the Indian mantra “using the brain to storm a problem”. The goal of brainstorming is to find creative solutions to problems or develop new ideas to improve a product, company, or strategy. The structure of brainstorming is flexible: a specific problem or task, an individual or a team and a limited period of time form the basis for generating diverse ideas and working on solutions in a targeted manner. A typical brainstorming session can be divided into two phases:
- Ideation: In the first phase, all participants collect as many ideas as possible within a set period of time, usually 30 to 60 minutes.
- Idea evaluation: In the second phase, the ideas are evaluated and compared together. The goal is to make a decision about the best approaches by the end of the meeting. This phase also ideally lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
This structure creates space for creative ideas and helps to reach a solution efficiently and purposefully. But practice usually looks different.
Why brainstorming sessions don't work
The most important rule when brainstorming is that quantity over quality. The more ideas are collected, the greater the likelihood that there will be a promising one. That's why teams should switch off critic mode and agree that every idea counts - it's better to have one idea more than too few. Still, brainstorming sessions don't always go smoothly. The most common challenges include:
- unbalanced discussions, for example when extroverted participants dominate the conversation
- the anchoring effect, in which the group commits to initial ideas too quickly and blocks new ideas
- Uncomfortable pauses that often occur when participants are not sufficiently prepared
Better Brainstorming: 10 Effective Techniques for Teams
Nobody really wants to waste time sitting in meetings that somehow don't produce any results. But there is another way. With a little planning, a brainstorming meeting can lead to creative results. Brainstorming often includes three phases: ideation, discussion and selection. At your next meeting, try one of the following techniques for better brainstorming.
- Brainwriting
Everyone writes down three ideas that relate to the topic. After a few minutes, everyone passes on their ideas so that the next team member adds them. After a round, the ideas collected are discussed. This technique encourages all participants and minimizes the anchoring effect as no idea is favored. - Quick idea generation
Everyone writes down as many ideas as possible in a limited time frame, which are later fleshed out. This method ensures that ideas emerge freely without being blocked by premature criticism. - Figure Storming
The group thinks about how a well-known figure would solve the problem - such as a celebrity or a fictional character. This enables new perspectives and promotes free thinking, as ideas appear less personal in this context. - Eidetic image method
This technique uses visualizations to improve existing ideas. For example, everyone imagines the current product and develops it further in their heads. The method is ideal for finding innovative adaptations to well-known concepts. - Online-Brainstorming (Brain-Netting)
A digital space like Slack or a Google Doc allows team members to share their ideas flexibly - ideal for remote teams. This technique can also be anonymized to encourage everyone's participation. - Round-Robin-Brainstorming
Here everyone takes turns contributing an idea before a second round starts. The method prevents domination by extroverts and gives everyone the opportunity to contribute. - Step ladder technique
At the beginning, only two people stay in the room and brainstorm. Gradually, a team member comes along and presents their own ideas before the previous ideas become known. This structured method prevents a hasty focus on initial ideas. - Mind mapping
A central idea is taken as a starting point and other ideas are visually appended. This technique is particularly useful for visually oriented teams to represent ideas and connections. - Starbursting
After a main idea is selected, it is further explored through questions such as "Who?", "What?", "Why?" and how?" illuminated from all sides. This helps provide a comprehensive look at the idea. - Change of scenery
Brainstorming in a different environment, be it a café or simply a different floor, can unleash creative impulses. New spaces often encourage fresh ideas and break routine.
Tips for effective team brainstorming sessions
No matter which technique you choose, these tips will help you make your brainstorming sessions efficient and maximize your team's potential:
- Allow preparation time
Spontaneous creativity can rarely be forced. Inform your team about the topic or problem early on, ideally one or two days in advance. This gives everyone time to come up with their own ideas and makes for a more productive session. - Formulate clear objectives
Is the goal an idea that can be implemented immediately or are you looking for groundbreaking, innovative concepts? Make the desired outcome clear before the meeting begins so that everyone has the same goal. - Bring in new perspectives
Occasionally invite people from other teams or from different professional backgrounds. These “fresh eyes” promote creativity and ensure that the group doesn’t always just follow familiar paths. - Promote a supportive atmosphere
Avoid hasty judgments – every idea deserves attention first. An open atmosphere gives everyone involved the security to contribute their ideas without hindrance. - Determine follow-up measures
Brainstorming is of no use if good ideas are not pursued further. After the meeting, take time to select the best ideas and determine concrete next steps.
Better brainstorming for better results
Every day is packed and time is precious, so no one wants to sit in useless meetings and ponder over ideas that are for the trash can. A clearly defined goal and systematic follow-up of implementation go a long way to increasing the effectiveness of the next brainstorming session. Creating an inclusive atmosphere and allowing participants to participate anonymously helps ensure that all ideas are expressed openly. Targeted preparation in advance can ensure that the team starts with fresh, inspiring ideas to move the organization forward. Better preparation ensures better results and less wasted time.
Watch Next
The latest videos on Esquire.de
Under “Providers” xymatic GmbHActivate to see content
