How to brainstorm.

1. THE
BRAINSTORMING
TECHNIQUE

2. Brainstorming Needs
•A problem to solve
•A group with potential to work as a team. 5-10 people should be
enough. However, no limitations are imposed, as long as everybody
follows the rules. Background diversity is a great plus!!
•A board, some large sheets of paper, something else that can be
seen easily by all, some large markers to write on it. A flipchart
would suit that purpose well.
A leader. That would be someone who's task is to draw out the
suggestions from the participants, neutral, not to impose her or
his own opinions, while still using leadership skills to maintain the
order and purpose of the session.

3. The Ground Rules
•The leader leads each session
•The facilitator calls for suggestions from the participants
•No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed
•All suggestions should be recorded on the board (even the crazy
ones).

4. The Procedure
•Define the problem: Ask for suggestions as to what is the most
important problem
•No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed
•Write all the suggested problems on the board
•Group together any problems that are similar or related
•Rearrange them and list them in priority (most important ones at
the top).

5. Establish The Goal
•Reverse the definition of the problem (it's solution)
•The solution to the problem defined above is the goal
•Define the goal as the solution to the problem
•Write the goal on the board
•Remind the group that the goal is the one that they selected

6. Define The Objective
•Ask the group to suggest objectives
•Write all the suggested objectives on the board
•No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed
•Group together any objectives that are similar or related
•Rearrange them and list them in priority - most important at top
•Remind the group that they generated the top objective(s).
Goal vs. Objective: An objective is measurable, finite, and has a completion date.
Analog: Strategy vs. Tactics.

7. Resources And Constraints
•Identify RC . Ask the group to suggest resources and constraints
Write all the suggested resources and constraints on the board
•No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed
•Group together any resources that are similar or related.
Rearrange them and list them in priority - most important at top.
•Group together any constraints that are similar or related.
•Remind the group that they generated the arrangement of the
list.

8. Identify a Strategy
•Ask the group to suggest strategies
•Write all the suggested strategies on the board
•No criticism (of anyone's suggestion) by anyone is allowed
•Group together any strategies that are similar or related
•Rearrange them and list them in priority - most important at top.
Remind the group that they generated the list.
•Choose the strategy that remains at the top of the list

9. Summarize
The PROBLEM
The GOAL
The OBJECTIVES
The RESORCES
The CONSTRAINTS
The STRATEGY