- Most brainstorms fail before the session even starts.
Because ideation comes easy to us as individuals,
we make the mistake of believing
it will be just as easy in a group setting
so we choose not to prepare.
But like any creative process,
the more preparation that you do, the better the outcome.
Brainstorming preparation comes in three flavors,
pre-session, mid-session and post-session.
Your pre-session goal is to prepare your participants
for the challenge that lies ahead.
Your mid-session goal is to prepare yourself
for the natural ebbs and flows
that come with the unpredictability
of subjective problem solving.
Your post-session goal is to prepare yourself and your team
for your next brainstorm.
I'm going to give you the 13 rules for effective brainstorming.
These rules cover pre, mid and post-session preparation.
These are intended to lay the foundation
for a productive ideation session.
Some are principles while others are actions.
I understand that every brainstorming environment
is different and you may not have the ability
to employ every suggestion.
But if you follow the ones that you can,
you'll be on your way to getting more ideas and better ideas
from your brainstorming groups.