The Ultimate Guide To Mastering Team Brainstorming
Brainstorming is one of the most effective ways a team can come up with solutions to problems and build on new business ideas. By implementing effective brainstorming techniques, companies can see more substantial growth and utilize their team to leverage their business to new heights.
What Is Brainstorming?
By definition, brainstorming is a group creativity activity. It involves getting a team to collaborate to solve problems, generate new ideas, and work together for a business's overall success. Most frequently, teams may brainstorm new marketing angles, product developments, or innovative ideas to help the company grow.
The traditional adage, "Two heads is better than one," is used with brainstorming. Brainstorming uses the creativity of everyone in the group to think of new ideas.
Common Brainstorming Techniques
Brainstorming has been around for ages, because it's a successful tactic. Depending on the team's size and the goal of the brainstorming session, there are a few standard brainstorming techniques used to bring a team together.
Reverse Brainstorming
Reverse brainstorming is used specifically for problem-solving. A traditional brainstorming method is identifying ways that an idea would work. However, reverse brainstorming challenges a group to list ideas that could cause a plan to fail.
Reverse brainstorming is an excellent technique for identifying gaps in a strategy. It allows a group to identify potential leaks in a marketing plan or product release so that the problem can be mended before launch.
Stop-and-Go Brainstorming
Stop-and-go brainstorming is a brainstorming technique that switches between creative thinking and careful evaluation. The group will "go" for a period of time where they brainstorm ideas. Following this period, they will "stop," where they have an opportunity to identify gaps within the ideas they have come up with.
Stop-and-go brainstorming employs both traditional brainstorming techniques and reverse brainstorming techniques.
Brainwriting
Brainwriting is a silent brainstorming technique that takes the pressure off of the team and eliminates bias effectively. With brainwriting, everyone is encouraged to write down their ideas on a piece of paper. The ideas will then be passed to the person on the right or left, who will then build on these ideas.
Eventually, each piece of paper will be passed around the table and will have had the opportunity to be built on by each team member. After making its round, the paper can be presented, and the best idea can be implemented.
Rapid Ideation
Rapid ideation allows a set amount of time for each team member to quickly jot down any relevant idea that comes to their mind. This creates a sense of urgency while also playing off of their intuition.
Round-Robin Brainstorming
In round-robin brainstorming, everyone must contribute at least one idea to the group. During a brainstorming meeting, the facilitator will go around the group and allow everyone to contribute their idea. Until the first round is complete, no one may criticize or discuss any of the ideas.
Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a visual brainstorming method that allows the group to build off each other's ideas.
The group will begin with one central idea and then start creating sub-ideas related to the original one. This will start to create a visual map that everyone can build on.
Out of the Box Brainstorming Techniques
There's no doubt that traditional brainstorming techniques have had their place, however, there are some new-age, out-of-the-box brainstorming techniques that can help businesses grow through collaboration and teamwork.
Wander and Ponder
Sometimes people work better on their own, and the wander and ponder brainstorming tactic capitalizes on that. During this brainstorming technique, the group leader will instruct people to go for a short walk to think about the topic at hand. When they come back, they’ll have to contribute to the brainstorm.
Wander and ponder brainstorming takes the pressure off and encourages a more relaxed brainstorming session.
Medideation
Medideation combines mediation and ideation for the benefit of the team. This new-age brainstorming technique is another incredible option for those who don't work well under pressure.
This option uses guided meditation to help teammates think of solutions and ideas to a particular problem. Following the meditation, the group can share the ideas that came to them during the process.
The Phoenix Approach
The Phoenix approach is an excellent option for ironing out the negative outcomes of a brainstorming idea.
A teammate will share an idea, and the team's job is to "kill" the idea by coming up with reasons that it won't be successful. This will help the team understand the gaps in the plan to overcome any foreseeable problems in the future.
Brainstorming With Remote Teams
Transitioning your team to brainstorming remotely can be a bit of an adjustment, but it can be just as successful if the proper steps are taken to keep everyone on track. By following some simple tasks, your remote team can adequately problem solve and generate ideas to leverage the success of your business.
Get Started Early
Most people are sharper in the morning before they get bogged down with daily tasks and emails — begin your brainstorming session early to maximize the most brainpower.
Add Ideas At The Same Time
By using a digital collaboration tool (like Stormboard!), your team will be able to collaborate in real-time and add ideas virtually. Implementing software that supports your remote brainstorming is essential for the success of your transition.
Easily Group Like Ideas
Teammates having similar ideas is inevitable during most brainstorming sessions. With high-end digital software, you'll be able to group like ideas with ease.
Vote On the Best Content
Encourage the team to get active and vote on the content that they think will be the most successful. Implement the highest-rated content first.
Keep the Momentum Going
Once the ideas are voted on and chosen, assign them to somebody to begin the implementation. Shortly after your brainstorming session, you'll want to act on the ideas to ensure that you put your session to good use.
Don’t Delete
Ideas that aren’t used should be saved for a later date, as they might become handy. Put unused ideas into an “Idea Bucket” for future use.
Conclusion
If you're trying to problem-solve or come up with new ideas for your business, holding a brainstorming session is the best way to put the minds of your team to good use. With remote work becoming a long-term reality for most companies, using a remote collaboration software can help simplify remote brainstorming sessions.
Do you need to hold a brainstorming session remotely? Try connecting your team with Stormboard — click here to sign up for a FREE trial now!
About the Author
Celina Dawdy is a freelance writer in Edmonton, Alberta. When she isn’t writing, she’s volunteering and spending time with her three dogs.
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