Brainstorming tips

Brainstorming sessions are most successful when performed as a group activity with mutually agreed upon rules and techniques. Appoint a facilitator to explain the rules, guide the session, and prompt open discussion. In Minitab Workspace, the facilitator can quickly enter everyone's ideas in the brainstorming list, then get group feedback to organize ideas on the map.

Refer to the following guidelines prior to a brainstorming session.

Clarify the goal

• Define the problem or challenge in a short, simple statement or focused terms.
• Make sure everyone understands the focus before starting.
• If possible, share the goal prior to the session so people come prepared.

Encourage quantity first

• Aim for as many ideas as possible—volume often leads to quality.
• Encourage all ideas. Even unrealistic ideas are valuable because they spark creativity.
• Remind participants to build on each other’s ideas.

Postpone judgment

• Prohibit criticism, debate, or evaluation during idea generation.
• Create an environment where participants feel comfortable sharing.

Build on others’ ideas

• Use “Yes, and…” instead of “Yes, but…” to expand thoughts.
• Combine or adapt suggestions to create stronger solutions.

Foster equal participation

• Encourage contributions from everyone.
• Use turn-taking or anonymous submissions to balance input.
• If you have a large group, divide participants into smaller groups. Then reconvene and share the best ideas from each group.

Make it visual

• Cluster similar ideas together to reveal themes and patterns.
• Use color to identify similar themes.
• Try a different brainstorm layout to spark alternative ideas.

Timebox the session

• Keep idea generation bursts short and energetic (5–15 minutes).
• Rotate techniques if the group starts to slow down.

Capture everything

• Use a facilitator to ensure that no ideas are lost.
• Document all ideas without filtering.

Keep energy positive

• Boost creativity with a fun and supportive atmosphere.
• Celebrate contributions, stay open-minded, and keep the momentum going.

Evaluate and prioritize later

• Separate brainstorming from decision-making.
• After idea generation, use voting, ranking, or impact analysis to determine next steps.