These methods can be applied in business, team settings, or personal projects.
1. Brainstorming Techniques with Examples
Here are popular brainstorming methods with practical examples for different scenarios:
A. Mind Mapping
- Definition: Visual representation of ideas branching from a central concept.
- Example:
- Scenario: Planning a product launch.
- Central Idea: New Product Launch.
- Branches: Marketing, Logistics, Budget, Customer Feedback.
- Sub-Branches for Marketing: Social Media Ads, Influencer Outreach, Email Campaigns.
B. SCAMPER Technique
- Definition: A checklist of prompts to rethink a product or process: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other uses, Eliminate, Reverse.
- Example:
- Scenario: Improving a travel app.
- Substitute: Replace manual booking steps with one-click booking.
- Combine: Add AI-based itinerary recommendations.
- Adapt: Use AR to showcase destinations.
- Modify: Change the design for better usability.
C. 6-3-5 Brainwriting
- Definition: In a group of 6 people, each writes 3 ideas in 5 minutes and passes them on for others to build upon.
- Example:
- Scenario: Generating new marketing campaign ideas for a fitness brand.
- Step 1: Each person writes 3 campaign ideas.
- Step 2: Pass the sheet to the next person, who builds on or improves the ideas.
- Outcome: At least 108 new ideas in 30 minutes (6 people x 3 ideas x 6 rounds).
D. Reverse Brainstorming
- Definition: Start with a problem and ask, "How can we create the problem?" and then reverse the solutions.
- Example:
- Scenario: Reducing customer complaints in a retail store.
- Step 1 (Problem Creation): “How can we make customers unhappy?”
- Ignore customer feedback.
- Deliver incorrect orders.
- Step 2 (Reversal):
- Improve customer feedback systems.
- Enhance quality control for order accuracy.
E. Rapid Ideation
- Definition: Set a short time limit (e.g., 10 minutes) and generate as many ideas as possible.
- Example:
- Scenario: Coming up with names for a new clothing brand.
- Outcome: In 10 minutes, participants generate 30 potential names like Urban Threadz, The Style Nest, or Edgewear Co.
2. Formulas for Structured Brainstorming
A. Idea Prioritization Matrix
Use a 2x2 matrix to evaluate and prioritize ideas based on Impact and Effort.
| | High Impact | Low Impact |
|-----------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
| Low Effort | Quick Wins | Low-Priority Tasks |
| High Effort | Strategic Initiatives | Avoid or Delay |
- Example:
- Scenario: Brainstorming sustainability initiatives for an office.
- Ideas:
- Low Effort + High Impact: Switching to digital invoices.
- High Effort + High Impact: Installing solar panels.
B. 5 Whys Technique
Ask "Why?" five times to uncover the root cause of a problem and brainstorm targeted solutions.
- Example:
- Scenario: Why is the website’s conversion rate low?
1. Why 1: Why are visitors not converting? They abandon the cart.
2. Why 2: Why do they abandon the cart? Shipping costs are high.
3. Why 3: Why are shipping costs high? No bulk shipping discounts.
4. Why 4: Why don’t we have discounts? Suppliers charge high fees.
5. Why 5: Why don’t we negotiate better rates? No supplier contracts in place.
- Solution: Negotiate long-term supplier contracts for better shipping rates.
C. Problem-Solution Tree
Visualize problems and their solutions like a tree structure.
- Example:
- Scenario: Improving employee engagement.
- Tree:
- Root Problem: Low engagement.
- Branches (Causes): Lack of recognition, poor work-life balance, limited growth opportunities.
- Leaves (Solutions): Introduce rewards programs, flexible schedules, and mentorship programs.
D. 10x Thinking
Force yourself to think 10 times bigger than usual to unlock ambitious ideas.
- Example:
- Scenario: Increasing revenue for a small bakery.
- Traditional Idea: Sell pastries to local customers.
- 10x Idea: Partner with delivery apps, expand to online sales, and launch a subscription box service.
E. SWOT Analysis for Creative Brainstorming
Evaluate Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats to brainstorm strategies.
- Example:
- Scenario: A startup wants to launch a new tech gadget.
- SWOT:
- Strengths: Innovative design, low production costs.
- Weaknesses: Limited marketing budget.
- Opportunities: High demand for similar products.
- Threats: Competition from established brands.
- Resulting Idea: Focus on influencer marketing to offset budget constraints.
3. Brainstorming in Specific Scenarios
Scenario 1: Marketing Campaign
- Technique: SCAMPER
- Example: A coffee brand brainstorming creative ad ideas.
- Substitute: Replace coffee cups with reusable mugs in ads.
- Combine: Add a QR code for discounts in print ads.
- Modify: Create ads showcasing the journey from bean to cup.
Scenario 2: Product Innovation
- Technique: Reverse Brainstorming
- Example: A fitness app wants to reduce user drop-offs.
- Problem Creation: “How can we make users quit?”
- Make the app difficult to navigate.
- Remove motivational features.
- Reversal Solutions:
- Simplify navigation with intuitive design.
- Add motivational pop-ups or rewards for consistency.
Scenario 3: Business Strategy
- Technique: 10x Thinking
- Example: A boutique wants to increase monthly sales from $10,000 to $100,000.
- Traditional Approach: Run more local ads.
- 10x Strategy: Launch an e-commerce store, create a pop-up event, and collaborate with influencers.
4. Tools to Enhance Brainstorming
- Collaboration Tools:
-
Miro, MURAL, Trello (for mind maps and visual boards).
-
Idea Generation Tools:
-
Ideaflip, Brainstormer app (for organizing ideas).
-
Automation Tools:
- ChatGPT (for generating initial ideas or solving specific problems).
5. Tips for Effective Brainstorming
- Set Clear Goals: Define the problem or goal upfront to stay focused.
- Encourage Wild Ideas: Allow free-flowing creativity without immediate judgment.
- Build on Ideas: Use group synergy to refine and expand ideas.
- Use Time Limits: Promote quick thinking and avoid overanalyzing.
- Organize Ideas: Use lists, charts, or sticky notes to group similar concepts.