OSBORN'S BRAINSTORMING

Generating many ideas in a group setting. Producing a long list of creative solutions from which to select the most promising alternatives. Helping a group overcome restraints on creative thinking.

1. Explain the four rules clearly to the group.
2. Encourage the group to think of as many ideas as possible. (Ideas are recorded but not criticized.)
3. Afterward, review the list with a critical eye and try to develop a solution.

This method is useful in numerous applied problems, especially in Strategic Planning, Product Development and Innovation, and Organization and Human Resources.

Many companies incorporate classical brainstorming or a variant of it into some of their problemsolving and innovation tools, and it has been referred to so many times in this book that it has earned its own write-up. Developed in the early 1960s, this is the most popular method for encouraging creative thinking in groups. It is simple and easy for a group to learn and provides immediate results in most cases. Use it to help think of a novel solution to a problem or in any other situation where a fresh idea might be helpful. A brainstorming session can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the difficulty of the problem and the leader's preference, but usually the sessions are terminated after half an hour.

Start with a clear problem statement. Introduce it to your group (traditionally 6 to 12 participants) and explain the brainstorming rules. (If the group members look confused, have them do a simple warm-up exercise, like thinking of uses for a 2 x 4 plank.) Be sure someone records all the ideas, preferably on a large board or flip chart which the whole group can read easily. After the session you can have the group review the list of ideas with a critical eye (it will be in need of exercise by now, having been suppressed during the session). (Alternatives: Use a different group to review the list and select an idea, or do the review yourself.)

In addition to explaining the rules to the group and making sure they obey them, the leader should try to maintain a relaxed atmosphere. A group which is on friendly terms and used to working together will produce the best results, especially if it is your first time leading a brainstorming session.

No criticism of any ideas. Save criticisms for the evaluation stage. Wild ideas are encouraged. Say whatever comes to mind. Quantity, not quality. Generate as long a list as possible. No proprietary ideas. Combining ideas or building on someone else's idea is encouraged. Reference

Osborn, A. F., Applied Imagination, 3rd ed. New York: Scribner's, 1963.

Det her er ren standard. Alle kender den, men det er ikke alle der lige kan huske reglerne. Jeg har taget den med fordi den er meget nyttig. Ikke alene som støtte for kreativiteten, men også i situationer hvor diskussionen har svært ved at komme i gang fordi folk vogter lidt på hinanden. I en brainstorming kan man komme med forslag helt uforpligtende og man får en fornemmelse af de andres synspunkter. Den kan således virke som ice breaker i visse situationer.

Der findes en beskrivelse på dansk på wikipedia.