Brainstorming

Brainstorming

1. Alex F. Osborn - originator - 1930’s

2. Problems with brainstorming: Brainstorming is the most well-researched and least understood creativity tool in the world!

   • Individual vs. group
     • Brainstorming is a group procedure, but research often compares individual against group performance.
   • Product blocking
     • Operating with a limited process structure.
   • Social Loafing
     • Giving up on the group.
   • Premature Closure
     • Applying judgment inappropriately.

3. Before brainstorming

   • Prepare the group
   • Prepare the task
   • Prepare the environment

4. During brainstorming

   • Dealing with judgement
   • Maintaining group commitment
   • Enhancing the process

5. After brainstorming

   • Follow-through
   • Evaluation
   • Implementation

6. 4 guidelines for generating options/ideas - Don't expect that everyone know what brainstorming actually is

   • Defer judgement
   • Strive for quantity
   • Freewheel
   • Seek combination

7. Choosing tools for generating

   • More developmental options
   • More exploratory options

8. This could be connected to other theories

   • Boden's kind of creativity
     • Combinatorial
       • Brainwriting
     • Exploratory
       • Brainstorming
     • Transformational
       • Visually identifying relationships
   • Levels and styles
     • Explorer
     • Developer
   • Blocks of individual creativity
   • What characterizes a creative product?
     • Style
     • Novelty
     • Resolution
   • Effects of CPS training
     • Trained groups generate more ideas, give less verbal criticism, and more verbal support than untrained groups.
   • Kaufman
     • Understanding and recognizing creativity
       • Orginality (novelty)
       • Creativity (Validity)
       • Invention (increment)
       • Innovation (realization)

9. Choosing tools for focusing

   • Groups can screen, sort, and select new and unique alternatives and develop and strengthen these into workable solutions when using a deliberate process.
     • Large numbers of ideas
       • Highlighting
       • Must/wants
     • Moderate numbers of ideas
       • Criteria
     • Small numbers of ideas
       • ALUo
         • Advantages, Limitations, Unique Qualities, and Overcoming Limitations (ALUo)

10. Creative Problem Solving (CPS)

    • Understanding the challenge
    • Generating ideas
    • Preparing for action

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