RAPID PROTOTYPING TECHNOLOGIES ENHANCE INNOVATION OPPORTUNITY

1.2.2009

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To run a brainstorming session effectively, do the following:

• - Define the problem you want solved clearly, and lay out any criteria to be met.
• - Keep the session focused on the problem.
• - Ensure that no one criticizes or evaluates ideas during the session. Criticism introduces an element of risk for group members when putting forward an idea. This stifles creativity and cripples the free running nature of a good brainstorming session.
• - Encourage an enthusiastic, uncritical attitude among members of the group. Try to get everyone to contribute and develop ideas, including the quietest members of the group.
• - Let people have fun brainstorming. Encourage them to come up with as many ideas as possible, from solidly practical ones to wildly impractical ones. Welcome creativity.
• - Ensure that no train of thought is followed for too long.
• - Encourage people to develop other people's ideas, or to use other ideas to create new ones.
• - Appoint one person to note down ideas that come out of the session. A good way of doing this is to use a flip chart. This should be studied and evaluated after the session.

Define the problem you want solved clearly, and lay out any criteria to be met.

Undoubtedly brainstorming is not an end in itself. A goal has to be in mind at the onset (although it should be put to the back of one's mind for true creativity to flourish during the actual brainstorming session). Be aware that brainstorming about one problem or concept might serendipitously generate unrelated ideas that have a lot of potential value.

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