Brainstorming Problems
Brainstorming can be a great resource tool for business innovation, a great mind-mapping tool that has been used successfully since 1975 when it was first introduced. But there can be some problems as well. Brainstorming problems can be solved through some good techniques to keep the session going smoothly and helping everyone to participate.
But even though some good techniques can help prevent a lot of brainstorming problems, they can still exist. There are some things you should watch for when you feel there are some problems starting to arise.
Same Ideas Repeated
What if your session has turned in a déjà vu? You feel like the same ideas are being repeated over and over again. They are getting stuck in third gear and can’t move on. They may be tired, or they may be stuck on particular idea. There are some things you can do to help then move ahead.
1. Use some techniques that will spark some creative thinking
2. Change technique altogether
3. Stay with the goal, don’t go back to previous solutions
4. Encourage fresh ideas
5. Suggest a different aspect of the topic
6. Take a break, come from another angle
7. Divide the problem up in segments
8. Have everyone switch places
9. Bring in new blood from other departments
The Inhibited
There are some people who are naturally shy and very inhibited. They may feel like they are threatened or forced to participate. They are usually afraid of criticism and judgment from the others.
1. Make the rules clear to everyone
2. Ideas are to be used to stimulate the ideas of others
3. Watch to see if anyone is using facial or physical gesturing to mock or criticize
4. Have everyone introduce themselves at the beginning of the session
5. Have smaller groups making it easier for everyone to participate
6. No cynical senior managers
Just Won’t Flow
This can create some brainstorming problems. There has to be a feeling of ease and fun in a brainstorming session. If there is someone who has had a bad day, or may not be feeling well, this could cause a problem with the flow. There may be someone who does not believe in the process and has a doomed to fail attitude. You need to be careful in your choices prior to the session and kind of screen them. Make sure you choose people from different backgrounds, ideology, energy levels, all of this can make a difference in your activity level.
1. Have fun warm up exercise
2. Have the room in a circle where everyone is on the same level
3. Maybe show how a silly idea can become a great solution
4. Tell some jokes
5. Discuss some possibilities of the problems’ cause
6. Ask everyone if they have the ability of being creative
7. Plan your session early, let them know what to expect
8. Have them purposely give off the wall answers to get things going
Sometimes we can all get stuck in our way of thinking and it can take a little prodding to get us going. By using some of these ideas or maybe some you “creatively” come up with yourself, you will be able to keep a fun and energetic atmosphere. If you are more aware of the brainstorming problems that can come up, then you are ready to handle them in a positive way and keep things going the way you want them to go.
