A brief overview of brainstorming - an excellent method of discussing a problem in a group & finding a solution to it through common consensus or majority view. Its also used to discuss business ideas among a group...

2. Brainstorming
• It is a group activity undertaken by a team to jointly think
about a problem or issue and try to find a solution
• Team comprises of all stakeholders involved in the process
• Team members are selected on basis of expertise and skills
• Sometimes, people from outside the process are also
invited if their expertise or knowledge could be of benefit
to the issue being discussed.

3. How to do it?
Identify Problem or
Issue
The problem or issue that affected the business has to be identified for analysis and action
Team Selection Team under a leader which is generally the Process Head has to be selected. Team should have
representation from all the stakeholders which were impacted by the event
Meeting Agenda A common agenda of the meeting with a fixed time to meet (as decided between all members)
should be agreed
Description of the
Problem or Issue
At the time of meeting, a clear and precise description of the problem/issue should be given
along with its impact
Discussion about the
issue
The issue in question (as per the agenda) & other issues need to be discussed, with participation
of all e ers. The Leader’s role is riti al for this to e sure that all e ers ideas are a le to
express their ideas or opinions, without any regard to other people designation or higher rank.

4. Types of Brainstorming
• Free flow and discussion of ideas by all team members without
any inhibitions or restrictionsFree Wheeling
• All team members suggest various ideas as per their turn as
decided by Project Leader or mutually decided by themselvesRound Robin
• All team members present ideas by writing on cards. Later, all
ideas are discussed among team membersIdeas on Card
• Process expert or SME is asked about the problem and possible
solutionsAsk the Expert
• All team members give their thoughts, suggestions, concerns
and their positive & negative opinions about different ideas.
Concerns, Opinions &
Suggestions

5. Guidelines for Brainstorming Sessions
Distribute meeting agenda
before meeting with a
description of process and
problem faced
Ensure cross-functional
representation. Invite
people outside the project
team also if they can
contribute to the issue
being discussed
Ensure that the
participants should not
lose focus and stick to
time schedule. Plan a
second meeting if required
If number of participants
seem to be large, then
break the team into
smaller groups
All ideas, including strange
ideas are welcomed
All ideas are recorded
No negative comments are
allowed
Everyone is encouraged to
participate
No laptops or mobiles or
other personal devices are
allowed
Build on other people
ideas
Encourage people to
contribute lots of ideas
Encourage even wild
ideas; discussion can be
done later