Tools and Training
Brainstorming
On this page:
What is brainstorming
Structured brainstorming
Unstructured brainstorming
Affinity diagrams
More information
Sources
What is brainstorming?
Brainstorming can creatively and effectively generate a high volume of ideas on a given topic, in a non-judgmental way, by:
- Encouraging open thinking
- Involving all team members
- Preventing a few team members from dominating the conversation
- Allowing team members to build on each other's ideas while staying focused on a common goal
Structured brainstorming
In structured brainstorming, each team member offers ideas in turn.
- State the agreed-upon brainstorming question in writing.
- Each team member gives an idea in turn. No idea is criticized.
- Write each idea in large, visible letters on a flip chart or other writing surface.
- Continue generating ideas until all are exhausted.
- Review the list and clarify ideas if necessary. Discard duplicate ideas.
Unstructured brainstorming
In unstructured brainstorming, team members offer ideas as they come to mind. There are a variety of ways to conduct unstructured brainstorming. Examples include:
Visual brainstorming
Team members develop a picture of how they see a situation or problem.
Analogies/free word association
Ask team members to compare the problem or issue to seemingly unrelated objects or words (e.g., if the problem was an animal, what kind of animal would it be?).
5-3-5 brainstorming
- Each person has five minutes to write down three ideas.
- Each person passes his/her sheet of paper to the next person, who has five minutes to add three more ideas.
- Repeat as many times as there are team members.
Affinity diagrams
An affinity diagram allows seemingly random ideas or suggestions are eventually organized within natural groupings, and could be used after a round of structured or unstructured brainstorming.
More information
Forces of Change Brainstorming Worksheet (DOC)
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Online Brainstorming and Mind Mapping
Bubbl.us
Brainstorming
The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Source
Public Health Memory Jogger
Public Health Foundation, GOAL/QPC