CoCreAid Toolbox - Click here to view
close
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor National Agency can be held responsible for them.
Home » Methods » Brainstorming

Brainstorming

min. 2 project members
easy
1-2 hours
  • Digital whiteboard: Miro or Mural
  • Video conferencing: Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc.
Best Practices

Explanation of the method

  1. Start by clearly defining the objective or problem you want to address through brainstorming/mind mapping. This could be generating ideas for a project, finding solutions to a challenge, or exploring possibilities for a creative endeavor.
  2. Conduct a traditional brainstorming session where participants freely share ideas related to the defined objective. Encourage a free flow of thoughts without criticism at this stage. Use techniques like word association, analogies, or prompts to stimulate creative thinking. Capture all ideas on the digital whiteboard.
  3. Transition from brainstorming to mind mapping to organize and visualize the generated ideas. Begin with a central concept representing the main objective and branch out to subtopics and related ideas. Use keywords, colors, and visual elements to connect and differentiate between different topics.
  4. Review the mind map and identify natural groupings or themes among the ideas. Create clusters or categories to organize similar concepts. Once grouped, discuss and prioritize the ideas within each cluster for instance based on relevance, feasibility, or impact.
  5. (Optional)Translate the prioritized ideas into actionable steps or plans. Discuss how to make use or implement the ideas, and assign responsibilities. Ensure that the brainstormed and mind-mapped ideas are not only creative but also feasible and aligned with the overall goals. This step transforms the brainstorming session into a practical roadmap for moving forward.

Advantages

  1. the method fosters a creative environment, encouraging participants to freely express and generate a wide range of ideas
  2. Mindmapping encourages non-linear thinking, allowing participants to make connections that might not be apparent in a linear format
  3. Mindmapping visually organizes thoughts and connections, providing a clear and structured representation of ideas.
  4. the method promotes collaboration by involving multiple perspectives. Team members can build upon each other's ideas, leading to more comprehensive and innovative solutions.
  5. Brainstorming allows for rapid idea generation, facilitating quick problem-solving

Disadvantages

  1. Both mindmapping and brainstorming sessions can sometimes require lengthy discussions, especially in the case of diverse groups or when trying to reach a consensus on which ideas to pursue
  2. In a group setting, certain voices may dominate the brainstorming session, overshadowing quieter contributors
  3. Emphasis on generating a large quantity of ideas in a short time can result in a compromise on the quality of ideas. Important, well-thought-out ideas might be overlooked
  4. Mindmaps and brainstorming might struggle when it comes to handling detailed information or in-depth analysis

Advice from practice

  1. Create a Judgment-Free Zone: Foster an environment where all ideas are welcomed without judgment during the initial brainstorming phase.
  2. Emphasize collaboration during brainstorming. Encourage participants to build on each other's ideas rather than working in isolation
  3. Set specific time limits for each phase of the brainstorming or mindmapping process to maintain focus and prevent sessions from becoming overly prolonged
  4. Ensure proper documentation and organization of generated ideas. Use tools such as Miro that facilitate easy sharing and revisiting of brainstorming results
Please note that the tools and methods were created as of August 2024 and all Miro Boards are editable.
© 2024 CoCreAid. All rights reserved.
menuchevron-down