Ever had those moments when you were all gung-ho about organizing a brainstorming session, but somehow, things just didn't click? Trust us, it’s a very common theme!

Unfortunately, It's not enough to have good intentions by just proposing a brainstorming session; in fact, the secret lies in how you bring those ideas to life. Sadly, many fail to really squeeze the productive juices from brainstorming sessions, essentially leaving them null and void.

But don't worry, that's where our blog swoops in to save the day! We've got your back with five must-follow stages to orchestrate the perfect brainstorming session. Remember, you've got to embrace all five, not just one or two! 

So, grab a comfy seat, because we're about to embark on a journey to brainstorming success!

Stage 1: Preparing for the Session

So before we dive headfirst into our brainstorming session, let's talk prep. It might not be as glamorous as the brainstorming itself, but trust us, it's crucial to set the stage for some mind-blowing ideas. Here are the steps you should take:

Clarify your goals

You've decided to gather your brilliant minds in one room (or virtual room, these days), but what's the purpose? Are you trying to crack a tough problem, or are you just fishing for fresh ideas? Maybe it's a bit of both. Whatever the case, spell it out clearly for your team. Nobody likes wandering aimlessly in a brainstorming limbo.

Imagine starting your session like this: "Alright, team, we're here today to tackle the challenge of [insert your challenge here]. Our goal is to come up with innovative solutions and ideas to move the needle on this front. Clear as crystal? Great!"

Pick the right people

Remember that diversity is your secret weapon. You want a mix of people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and skill sets. Don't just invite the usual suspects; consider folks from various departments or even external project collaborators if it makes sense. The more diverse the group, the more likely you are to uncover fresh, out-of-the-box ideas.

You might say something like, "We've carefully selected each of you for this session because we believe your unique viewpoints can spark some amazing ideas. We've got marketing wizards, tech gurus, and even a wildcard or two. Let's make magic happen!"

Time it right

Now, I know brainstorming can be exhilarating, but it can also be a brain drain. Set a time limit for your session to keep the energy levels up. Depending on the complexity of your challenge, aim for anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Anything longer, and you risk hitting a creativity wall.

You could say, "Okay, folks, we're in for a productive ride, but we don't want to burn out. We'll keep this session to a tight 90 minutes. We've got a lot to cover, so let's make every minute count!"

Gather your gear

Lastly, make sure you've got all your brainstorming tools ready. This could be a whiteboard, colorful markers, sticky notes, or relevant documents. Being prepared might sound like a no-brainer, but trust me, it can make or break the session. The last thing you want is to scramble for a marker while your brilliant idea is slipping away.

You could make a mental check list of the things you need the most. Mentally cross off each item as you see them. Just in the same way as you probably leave the house: ‘Wallet, keys, phone’ substitute for ‘Marker, whiteboard eraser, extra paper’.

Stage 2: Setting the stage

Never underestimate the power of creating the perfect atmosphere for brainstorming sessions! Getting the atmosphere just right for a successful brainstorming session is like setting the stage for a great performance. Let’s look at some things you need to consider before carrying out the session.

Location matters

You walk into a room bathed in natural light, with comfortable chairs that make you want to sit down and think. The walls are adorned with inspiring artwork, and you can almost feel the creativity in the air. That's the kind of setting you should aim for – one that's comfortable and sparks free thinking. Dull, sterile conference rooms? Nah, let's leave those behind.

And don't be afraid to mix it up! A change of scenery can work wonders. Think about taking your brainstorming session outdoors, to a park perhaps. Nature can be a powerful muse. Or try a funky, creative workspace – different environments can trigger new perspectives and ideas.

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Encourage openness

Creating a judgment-free zone is paramount. This means you must establish some ground rules. "No idea is a bad idea" – that's a classic one. And "we encourage wild thinking" – that's where the magic often happens. Criticism? It can wait until later. Let's first gather all those wild and wonderful ideas.

Active listening is also the perfect addition here. Make sure everyone feels heard and valued. Try the simplest of body language, like nodding or responding to people’s ideas. By nodding and saying, "I hear you; that's interesting" instead of shutting ideas down prematurely is a breath of fresh air.

Roles and responsibilities

You’ve got the perfect opportunity to assemble a dream team here! You've got your timekeeper – the guardian of punctuality, making sure the session stays on track. The note-taker? They're like the scribe, capturing all those brilliant ideas, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle. And then there's the facilitator – the master of ceremonies, guiding the show, and making sure everyone plays by the rules.

Start with a bang

You walk into the room, and the first thing you hear is a mind-blowing question that instantly fires up your imagination. That's the power of a thought-provoking question or prompt. It's like the spark that ignites the brainstorming fireworks.

Let's not forget the icebreakers. They're like the warm-up act before the main event. Icebreakers can help the team bond, get comfortable, and start thinking creatively. They're like the opening chords of a great song that set the mood just right.

So there you have it – the recipe for a killer brainstorming session. A comfy setting, open minds, defined roles, and a spectacular start. With these ingredients, you're all set to cook up some amazing ideas!

Stage 3: Ideation 

Welcome to the creative heart of your brainstorming session – the Ideation stage. This is where the ideas flow freely and without judgment or criticism. In the Ideation stage, we embrace quantity over quality, encouraging wild, unconventional thoughts. It's the playground of innovation, where brainstorming games and techniques help us explore new territory.

Quantity over quality

Let's kick off the ideation stage with a fresh perspective. We're focusing on quantity, not quality, at least initially. That means we're throwing perfectionism out the window for now. Our mission is to generate a plethora of ideas, whether they seem like game-changers or just ordinary thoughts. We want a buffet of ideas where we want to sample as many dishes as possible, because you never know which one might turn out to be a culinary masterpiece.

Get creative

Now, let's explore some creative techniques to juice up our brainstorming sessions:

Mind mapping

Think of mind mapping as creating a visual playground for our ideas. We jot down our thoughts, draw connecting lines, and watch as our ideas intertwine. This visual approach often helps us spot connections and possibilities that might have remained hidden with just words on a page.

Brainstorming games

Why should brainstorming be all work and no play? Let's add some fun to the mix! Brainstorming games turn the process into a playful adventure. It's like turning our brainstorming session into a friendly game night. By introducing an element of playfulness, we're encouraging a relaxed atmosphere that can lead to more creative thinking.

6-3-5 Method

Ready for a quick brainstorming sprint? In the 6-3-5 method, six participants each generate three ideas in just five minutes. It's like brainstorming on steroids – fast and intense. This rapid-fire approach often surprises us with unique and unexpected gems. So, get those thinking caps on; we're in for a speedy ride!

Encourage crazy ideas

Here's a crucial one: let's ensure that everyone feels safe to share their craziest ideas. Why? Because those seemingly outlandish thoughts often lead to groundbreaking solutions. Imagine this as a brainstorming carnival where we're inviting the most eccentric and wild ideas to join the parade. You never know when a seemingly absurd notion might be the spark that ignites our next innovation.

Build on each other's ideas

Now, let's talk teamwork. We don't just want everyone to come up with their own ideas; we want you to play off each other's concepts. Collaboration is the name of the game here, as sometimes, the most brilliant concepts emerge when we blend different ideas together, like a recipe that combines diverse ingredients into a mouthwatering dish. It can also bring up some unorthodox combinations too, think pairing cheese with grapes. Strange combination, but for many, it works very well!

Stage 4: Evaluation

After the exhilarating brainstorming session where ideas flowed like a river, it's time to channel that creative chaos into a structured evaluation process. This critical stage will help us separate the wheat from the chaff and ensure we're pursuing the most promising ideas. So, grab your thinking cap and let's dive into the evaluation stage!

SWOT

First and foremost, we need a structured evaluation framework to bring some order to the chaos. One tried-and-true method is the SWOT analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. This framework provides a clear and systematic way to assess each idea objectively.

Strengths

Start by identifying what makes each idea shine. What are its unique qualities? Does it align with our goals? Does it leverage your strengths as a team or organization?

Weaknesses

Now, let's get real. What are the potential pitfalls or drawbacks of each idea? Are there resource constraints, feasibility issues, or other challenges you need to address?

Opportunities

Look at the potential benefits and opportunities each idea presents. Will it open up new markets? Does it have the potential for growth or innovation? Can it solve a pressing problem?

Threats

Finally, consider the risks associated with each idea. Are there external factors that could derail it? Market competition? Regulatory hurdles? Identifying these threats is crucial for risk mitigation.

Specific evaluation criteria 

Next, we should create specific evaluation criteria tailored to our session's goals. Let's say we're brainstorming marketing strategies; our criteria might include cost-effectiveness, brand alignment, and potential return on investment (ROI). These criteria will serve as our compass during the evaluation process, helping us navigate towards the most promising ideas.

Constructive discussion

Now, here's the fun part: the heart of our evaluation process lies in having a constructive discussion. This isn't the time to rain on anyone's parade or shut down ideas left and right. It's all about opening up and having honest conversations aimed at making things better. Encourage your team to share their thoughts, concerns, and suggestions freely. Remember, even those wild and seemingly outlandish ideas can be refined into something brilliant.

As we chat it out, don't forget about the magic of synergy between ideas. Sometimes, when you mix and match elements from different thoughts, you end up with something extraordinary that none of those individual ideas could achieve on their own.

Vote on ideas

To keep things organized, we can also bring in some ranking and prioritization. You can use things like voting or scoring systems to figure out which ideas have the most potential. Not only does this help us pick out the frontrunners, but it also ensures that everyone's voice gets a chance in the decision-making process.

In a nutshell, this evaluation stage is where we turn creative chaos into focused innovation. With our structured evaluation frameworks, custom criteria, constructive discussions, and a little bit of ranking and prioritization, we're bound to unearth some real gems. So, let's roll up those sleeves, team up, and bring those exceptional ideas to life!

Stage 5: Post-session actions

When the brainstorming session ends, your work isn't over. Now is the time to collate all the information you’ve gathered and put it to good use. What’s more, is that this is a perfect opportunity to show your workforce that you actually care and appreciate their hard work during the sessions. Here's what to do next:

Document everything

Think of this step as your brainstorming session's memory bank. You're going to want to capture every idea, thought, and insight that surfaced during your meeting.

Include who proposed what, the context in which the idea was generated, and any discussions or reactions it sparked. This documentation serves as a valuable resource for future reference, helping you avoid reinventing the wheel and giving you a historical perspective on your team's creative journey.

Make sure you liaise with those who had specific roles, such as note taker, to get the entire bulk of information that was documented.

Assign responsibilities

Assigning responsibilities is about ensuring that your brainstorming session's output doesn't end up as a pile of forgotten concepts. Each promising idea needs a dedicated owner or champion. This person takes on the responsibility of nurturing the idea and developing an action plan. 

When someone knows they're accountable for an idea's success, they're more likely to invest time and effort into bringing it to fruition. This ownership also stops ideas from falling through the cracks and keeps them moving forward.

Schedule follow-ups

Once you've identified the ideas that have the potential to drive your team or organization forward, it's crucial to establish a plan for follow-up. These follow-up meetings serve several purposes. They allow you to track progress, address challenges or obstacles and provide support. They also demonstrate your commitment to seeing these concepts through. 

Imagine sitting through a 2 hour long brainstorming session, coming up with some fantastic ideas and then you, the boss, doesn’t implement any of the ideas. Talk about tearing your hair out time!

Celebrate success

Celebrating success is more than just throwing a party; it's a critical part of the innovation process. When one of your brainstormed ideas leads to a positive outcome, take the time to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of everyone involved. Celebrations can be as simple as a team shout-out in a meeting or as elaborate as a dedicated recognition event.