What is brainstorming and what are some examples?

We have always heard that two brains think better than one, and in reality it is so: while one proposes an idea, the other is capable of improving or complementing it.

And even refute it with another point of view and a completely valid initiative.

In this article we will discuss what brainstorming is, its objectives, and some examples so you can benefit from it.

what is brainstorming
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Why is it important to innovate?

We know the importance of innovating when we realize that, although everything is changing, we are still doing the same thing. This will gradually lead us to disappear if we do not take action.

And the concept of innovation is not only something that necessarily has to be applied to professional environments, as a society in general we are forced to innovate as time goes by.

We keep ourselves in a social, entrepreneurial, technological and business dynamic whose movement is constant, and which is becoming more and more competitive. This is also where the importance of innovation comes from.

Keep in mind that when we innovate we are promoting personal growth, as well as that of the companies. Innovation must be seen as a necessity, not as a “must have”.

But, to innovate it is necessary to have new ideas, apart from an entrepreneurial attitude, and the best way to find really useful ideas is with brainstorming techniques.

Brainstorming With Notes On The Glass Wall

What is brainstorming?

When we talk about brainstorming, we are referring to a group technique that seeks to generate ideas in a creative and collaborative way.

The objective of brainstorming is simple: to find solutions to problems or situations by producing as many ideas as possible. Since it is common for a single person to struggle to produce a good idea, support is sought in a collaborative group that generally makes the work easier and faster.

With brainstorming we have the ability to create an environment that gives rise to a greater number of ideas encouraging the team to stay creative and in the same way increasing the possibilities that exist to generate useful solutions.

What are some brainstorming examples activities?

With the intention that you can make entertaining and productive activities we bring you some of the most popular examples of how to do brainstorming out there:

The Da Vinci technique

In this case we are talking about a brainstorming activity that is estimated to last at least 15 minutes where, apart from the brains, you will need to have a pencil or pen and paper.

It consists of the following steps:

Step 1

Each participant should write on his or her paper the problem about which he or she is looking for solutions.

Step 2

Improvise allowing the creativity of each participant to be reflected in the form of drawings on paper. It is not necessary to be a master in the art to be able to carry out the technique, it is only necessary to be able to capture what comes to mind graphically.

Step 3

Analyze and interpret each of the drawings made. After that it will be necessary to write down everything that comes to mind, whether words, questions or “simple thoughts”.

Step 4

Share with the rest of the team the results that have been obtained and take note of the ideas or comments that will arise in the process.

Mind map technique

Diagram graphic on a rolled paper

It is another example of the most useful brainstorming techniques nowadays. It is estimated to last at least 20 minutes and to carry it out it is necessary to have a pencil or pen and paper.

In this case, the steps to be followed are the following:

Step 1

Define the problem to be solved for all members of the group.

Step 2

Write the problem that has been posed in the center of a sheet of paper, and draw branches from it.

Step 3

Taking turns, each member of the group will contribute ideas or thoughts to solve the problem.

Step 4

One idea should be noted in each branch. It is allowed to add contributions to the existing ideas so that they can be improved.

Step 5

Each of the ideas should be reflected upon and evaluated with the intention of reaching a consensus on the most appropriate solutions. These may be the result of a combination of the ideas expressed, or the improvement of a specific one.

Reverse brainstorming or devil's advocate technique

Brainstorming

This is the last example of brainstorming that we will give you. In order to proceed with this technique you will also need a pencil or pen and paper. The estimated time for this technique is at least 20 minutes, and the steps to complete it are as follows:

Step 1

By turning the objective completely upside down, new ideas must be generated. That is to say, every time that good ideas are sought with the intention of finding a solution to the problem, bad ideas that are capable of making the situation worse will be proposed.

It is a technique where you want to find the weaknesses, which will then make it very easy to notice what works and what does not.

Step 2

Be sure to write down all bad ideas, no matter how bad they seem.

Step 3

Think about the solutions that could be given to these opposing ideas. That is, you have to ask yourself what you can do with the intention of improving those ideas.

Step 4

Be sure to write down all the solutions that have arisen from the bad ideas.

Step 5

Reflect on the session that has occurred with the intention that you can decide on a path that can lead them to a resolution of the main problem.

Brainstorming FAQs

Brainstorm techniques are held on because ther eare problems that need new and innovative solutions.

Brainstorm techniques can be applied in different areas of life, from schools and universities for projects, to businesses and corporations that need to launch new products and services.

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