Brainstorming - Introduction and Different Types

Brainstorming is a creativity technique used to generate a large number of ideas to solve a problem.  In instructional design, this technique is used to list the ideas and phrases some of which will be selected to work up on.  

 Different from Free Writing: It may be similar to free writing.  It is different from free writing where the writer simply keeps on writing down or typing their thoughts as they come to mind, without any second thought and plan.  Free writing produces raw content that is unorganized and unedited while brainstorming produces an unordered and unedited list of ideas and phrases based on which the writer will prepare his paper or book.

Brainstorming Exercise: Under this concept, you will not write down full sentences and paragraphs.

• Set a time limit of 5 - 15 minutes

•         Read topic

•         Think about for a while

•         Start listing down all key words and important phrases in a blank paper or your computer

•         Write down everything that comes to mind (a free flow of thought)

•         Never stop any where

•         Never bother about spelling and grammatical mistakes

•         Never edit or delete anything

•         Note key words or short phrases in list form under your subject 

•         List down unusual ideas too

•         Keep your list going on for your time limit

When time is up, you stop listing down and check all your ideas.  Brainstorming helps the writer to list out several ideas and phrases related to the topic, including unusual ideas and phrases. Brainstorming enhances higher quantity of ideas, but does not assure higher quality of ideas. 

Types of Brainstorming: Brainstorming is of different types as follows:

• Individual Brainstorming
• Group Brainstorming
• Electronic Brainstorming
• Question Brainstorming

Group Brainstorming: It is a process, which is participated by a group of people with some kind of affinity with related subject.  It is held and monitored by a person who is popularly called ‘Facilitator’.  The facilitator selects team members and informs all of them about session well in advance.  He records all the ideas expressed by team members.  When all the ideas are captured, he organizes and categorizes the ideas expressed by the team members and prepares the final list of ideas.  The facilitator evaluates all the ideas and selects one as the solution, with the help of team members.  

Follow below mentioned guidelines during ‘Group brainstorming’:

• Invite only those who have awareness about the issue as members.
• The facilitator should explain the team members about topic and should ensure that everyone understands given topic. 
• He should evaluate to decide whether the group is on proper track towards a final solution.
• The facilitator should remove redundant and unfeasible ideas.
• The facilitator should give the leads to team members when they are unable to express any ideas.
• Never invite superiors/bosses as team members may not express their ideas freely 

Advantages of Group Brain Storming:

·         Boosts morale of team members

·         Makes work joyful

·         Reduces social inhibitions and improves rapports among group members

·         Increases both quantity as well as quality of ideas

·         You can get better ideas

·         You can combine two different ideas and get a new one.  You can even work for its betterment     

Disadvantages of Group Brain Storming:

• During group discussion, the actual subject may be distracted
• Sometimes, group brainstorming may be less effective than individual brainstorming as it consumes more time and more number of working hours

Electronic brainstorming: It is a computerized version of the manual brainstorming technique, supported by an electronic meeting system (EMS).  With an electronic meeting system, participants share a list of ideas over the Internet.  It helps larger groups to participate in brainstorming.

Question Brainstorming: This process involves brainstorming the questions, rather than trying to come up with immediate answers and short-term solutions.  The answers to the questions form the framework for developing content in future.  Once the list of questions is finalized, prioritize the questions to develop content in an orderly way.  This technique is also called questorming.

Written by: S. Chandrashekara Reddy

Ph.No: 91-9849856722

Mail Id: chandrashekara_reddy@yahoo.co.in