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Learning objectives
After completing this chapter, students can:
Chapter 2: • Understand brainstorming and generate many ideas
Brainstorm • Understand the rules and tools for idea development stage
• Identify the factors that encourage or limit the creativity
• Be able to apply brain brainstorming in reality

Content Lead in

1. Generative thinking and creativity

“The role of a creative leader is not
2. Ideation Toolkit to have all the ideas; it’s to create a
3. Ideation checklist: DOs and DON’Ts culture where everyone can have
4. Practice: Brainstorm ideas and feel that they’re valued.”

How do you understand it? Please Ken Robinson - educationalist

share your point of view!!!

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2.1. Ideation Toolkit 2.1. Generative thinking and creativity

INPUT
Clearly defined challenge
PROCESS
Generate as many ideas as possible
When do you get your best ideas?
TOOLS
Brainstorming
5H1W
Six Thinking Hats
…
OUTPUT
All ideas

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When do you get your best ideas? When do you get your best ideas?
• Ideas come to us when our The top five catalysts for best ideas were ranked as follows
brains and bodies are relaxed (Moore and Ditkoff, 2008):
and on our own; usually they 1. When you’re inspired
happen when we least expect 2. Brainstorming with others
them.
3. When you’re immersed in a project
• Break thro u gh id eas m ig ht 4. When you’re happy
come from a lot of ideas
5. When you’re collaborating with a partner

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2.2. Ideation Toolkit 2.2.1. Brainstorming

INPUT
Clearly defined challenge
PROCESS
Generate as many ideas as possible
TOOLS
Brainstorming
5H1W
Six Thinking Hats
…
OUTPUT
All ideas
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Brainstorming - Definition
Introduced by Alex F Osborne in 1948/1953 (???) Basic rules in brainstorming
- Brainstorming is a process for developing creative solutions to solve a
particular commercial or technical problem, in which participants are There are four basic rules in brainstorming:
encouraged to think without interruption. 1) Focus on quantity: If lots of ideas are generated it will be
easy to produce a radical and effective solution.
- Brainstorming works by focusing on a problem, and then deliberately
coming up with as many solutions as possible and by pushing the ideas as 2) Reserve criticism: Don’t comment on any ideas. First
far as possible. accept all, at a later stage judge.
3) Welcome unusual ideas: To get a good and long list of
- One of the reasons it is so effective is that the brainstormers not only come ideas, unusual ideas are welcomed.
up with new ideas in a session, but also spark off from associations with
other people's ideas by developing and refining them.
4) C o mbin e a nd i mpr o ve i de a s : G oo d id e a s m ay be
combined to form a single better idea (Build on each
- Brainstorming is a commonly used tool by academics researchers and other’s ideas).
business teams.
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Group Brainstorming vs. Solo Brainstorming: a starting point

• Everyone involved to feel that • Individual brainstorming • When planning a brainstorming session it is important to define
they’ve contributed to the end creates better quality ideas clearly the topic to be addressed.
solution, and it reminds • A topic which is too specific can constrict thinking, while an ill-
• You do not have to worry
people that other people have defined topic will not generate enough directly applicable ideas.
about other people's egos or
creative ideas to offer
opinions, and can therefore • The composition of the brainstorming group is important too. It
• Brainstorming is fun, and it be more freely creative should include people linked directly with the subject as well as
can be great for team- those who can contribute novel and unexpected ideas.
building! • It can comprise staff from inside or outside the organisation.

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Flow of Brainstorming Brainstorming Techniques

1) GROUP BRAINSTORMING
• A brainstorming session is led by a facilitator who introduces the
topic and the above ‘ brainstorming rules'.
• The group then begins to generate and share ideas.
• These are recorded on white-boards, flip-charts, Post-it® notes, etc.
• This section of the meeting usually lasts no longer than thirty or
forty minutes.
• The ideas are then categorised and ranked by the group.
• Follow-up actions are agreed and the meeting closes.

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Brainstorming Techniques
Brainstorming Techniques
1) GROUP BRAINSTORMING: To ensure a productive session and one to
which all present contribute, the facilitator should :
2) FREEWRITING
• Encourage novel and innovative ideas, however odd they may first appear
When you freewrite, you write
• The quantity of ideas is more important than quality, so while ideas are down whatever comes into your
shared with the group they are not discussed or criticised in detail; this is
reserved for a later stage
mind. You don’t judge the quality
of writing and don’t worry about
• Build on the ideas put forward by others
style, spelling, grammar or
• Every person and every idea has equal worth p un ct u ati on . Whe n yo u ha ve
• Each idea generated belongs to the group rather than the individual who finished your writing and have
thought of it reached your goal, read back over
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the text, decide the solution. 18

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Brainstorming Techniques Brainstorming Techniques

3) NOMINAL GROUP 4) GROUP PASSING
TECHNIQUE TECHNIQUE
Each person in a circular group
Participants are asked to
writes do wn on e idea, and then
write their ideas anonymously. passes the piece of paper to the next
Then the moderator collects the person in a clockwise direction, who
ideas and each is voted on by the adds some thoughts. This continues
group. The best idea is chosen. unt i l ev ery bo dy g ets hi s or her
original piece of paper back. By this
time, participants will have examined
each idea in detail.
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Brainstorming Techniques Brainstorming Techniques

5)TEAM IDEA MAPPING METHOD 6)INDIVIDUAL
BRAINSTORMING
This technique may improve
collaboration and increase the quantity It typically includes such techniques
of ideas, and is designed so that all as free writing, free speaking, word
attendees participate and no ideas are association, and drawing a mind map,
rejected. which people diagram their thoughts.
The process begins with a well-defined Individual brainstorming is useful
topic. Each participant brainstorms method in creative wiriting.
individually, then all the ideas are
merged onto one large idea map.
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ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF

Brainstorming Techniques
BRAINSTORMING
7)QUESTION BRAINSTORMING ADVANTAGES
This process involves brainstorming • Many ideas can be generated in a short time.
the questions, rather than trying to
come up with immediate answers and • Requires few material resources.
short term solutions. • The results can be used immediately or for possible use in
Quest ions ar e i mp ortant in that other projects.
technique. We need a list of questions • Is a democratic way of generating ideas.
to reach to the best solution in an
orderly way. • The concept of brainstorming is easy to understand.

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ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF

BRAINSTORMING
DISADVANTAGES
• Requires an experienced and sensitive facilitator who
understands the social psychology of small groups.
• Requires a dedication to quantity rather than quality.
• Shy people can have difficulties in participating.
• May not be appropriate for some business or international
cultures.

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2.2.2. 5W1H 2.2.2. 5W1H

The 5W1H Canvas helps • WHAT? Consider the facts, looking at both hard data
(statistics, history and time factors), and soft data (opinions,
to get a grasp on the real human factors, attitudes and behaviours). Ask yourself:
problem by asking ‘What, What have you already tried to solve the problem? What
Why, Where, Who, When, worked? What didn’t? What are you aiming to achieve?
and How’, helping to • WHY? Asking yourself this is a great way to gain a deeper
understanding of an issue. In fact, you should ask ‘why?’ at
understand the problem least five times until you get to the bottom of a problem.
from a variety of This will ensure that you’re addressing the root cause and
standpoints. not just a symptom.

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2.2.2. 5W1H
2.2.3. Six Thinking Hats Technique
• WHERE? Now it’s time to locate the best environment for putting your
solution into action by asking, where can the problem be resolved? Where
can help be offered?
• WHO? Who can help solve the problem? Who benefits from the problem
being solved? Identify who can be involved in the solution, both directly
and indirectly.
• WHEN? When is the deadline for solving this problem? Knowing this will
help you to work out a timeframe for your action plan and keep various
tasks in time and ensure you stay on track.
• HOW? How does the challenge influence people, activities or events?
Consider how the problem may impact specific departments, resources,
products or tools.

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Six Thinking Hats Technique

• The 6 Thinking Hats method is a catalyst that helps during the
brainstorming stage.
• Each hat in the six thinking hats method represents a different
perspective.
• It is used during meetings or brainstorming sessions to allow team
members to look at possible solutions from different perspectives or
thinking directions.
• Six Thinking Hats = Six ways of thinking
• Thus, the Six Thinking Hats framework is a widely-used method in the
planning stage of a project. 31 32

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Six Thinking Hats Technique - Application

Group discussions using the 6 thinking hats provide many benefits:
• Group members can freely express their ideas without the fear of
prejudice. • Choose a project
• Having multiple views on a certain topic. You can then formulate a • Members of the class are distributed into 6 sub-teams
better idea by combining all ideas. that represents each hats.
• Learn to think outside the box by listening to various ideas and • Each sub-teams then focuses their discussion based on
opinions.
the hat that they represent.
• Focus more on topics that you are really interested in, and fits your
skillset. • Each hat has their own respective roles
• G et closer to your tea m mem bers b y sharing ideas and • Propose an action plan for this project
communicating clearly.

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2.4. Ideation checklist: DOs and DON’Ts 2.4. Ideation checklist: DOs and DON’Ts
DOs DON’Ts
• establish the correct environment • capture all ideas • rush idea generation • multitask when trying to
• keep an open mind • take breaks generate ideas
• suspend judgement • listen to others • create and evaluate at the
• brainstorm individually first, then in • have multiple small ideation sessions same time • dismiss insane ideas as
groups rather than one long meeting • be negative at this stage being impossible
involve others borrow another person's point of
• •
reference • bully others with your ideas • Keep “infeasible mindset”
• focus on quantity
• give yourself time to utilize thought • look outside for inspiration – mirror • try and be sensible • fall foul of “listening to the
experiments (focused daydreaming) others and improve
• wander off topic experts” syndrome
• expand and build on ideas • sleep on it – allow incubation time
• link seemingly random ideas –connect • ignore discouragement from doubters • lack confidence
the unconnected • make it seriously fun • brainstorm without
structure

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4. Practice: Brainstorm with your team

Activity: Choose one among the brainstorm tools you’ve learnt, develop the
ideas for one among five following topics:
1) Sustainable behavior: e.g., saving power energy, reducing single-used
plastic items
2) Raising fund for poor children in the highland areas
3) Healthy lifestyle for Gen Z
4) Green & responsible business model
5) Sustainable tourism
Timing:
- Preparation: 30 min
- Format (slides): 10 min
- Discussion: 5 min

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