- Break into
small groups of 15 people or less.
- Have chairs
arranged in a single circle to allow everyone to see each other.
- Set aside
a specific amount of time.
the questions that the group will be responding to and check for
not to discuss the merits of each idea reminding them that will
happen later or in subsequent meetings. Record all ideas on a
flip chart. Print large, legibly and fast! Repeat key words and
phrases and be sure to ask the speaker to clarify ideas you do
not understand. Build on and expand ideas. Push the group to consider
other ways of looking at the issue, to stimulate more ideas.
Thinking and Writing:
question or statement and ask people to spend 5 to 15 minutes
concentrating on their own thoughts and writing down their responses.
These responses can either be handed in and a facilitator reads
them to the group or an open session can begin where everybody
shares. (This may be a good step if people seem especially reluctant
to speak and express their ideas.)
is systematically called on in turn and shares one idea at a time
until either there are no more ideas or the time limit is reached.
Try reversing the direction of calling on people.
called out randomly, quickly.
Have a discussion
about the question or issue for a specific amount of time, say
5 to 10 minutes. Then run the brainstorm, describing key ideas
that came up.
is given 5 minutes to think about a response to the question or
issue. (Alternatively, have people work in pairs to generate ideas.)
They are to record their responses on as many Post-it Notes® as
necessary. Each person, when called upon, gives the notes to the
facilitator who reads them and sticks them on the wall or a flip
chart. Similar ideas are then grouped.
to demonstrate brainstorming
either an imaginary problem to be solved, such as "ways to reduce
paper" or "how to get people to come to a public meeting" or use
a current event or issue that is particular to that community
(but is not related to the resource or the project). Have everyone
take a turn around the room in round-robin fashion stating humorous,
infeasible, unwise, or outlandish ways to achieve the desired
goal – the crazier the better. Write the responses on a flip chart.
After everyone has had an opportunity to provide at least two
responses, the facilitator guides the discussion. Identify any
trends that were noticed such as one idea building on a previous
one, unrestricted thinking, breaking into new territory, concepts
of creativity, how some items could be adapted to really solve
the problem, etc. Use these trends to illustrate how fresh, new
thinking will be required in this planning process.