| name | brainstorming |
| description | Generate and organize ideas through structured brainstorming techniques. Use when starting a project, exploring new directions, or breaking through creative blocks. |
| metadata | {"author":"specialist-team","version":"1.0.0"} |
Brainstorming
Your Task
When facilitating brainstorming, guide the process to:
- Generate many ideas without judgment
- Organize ideas into meaningful categories
- Evaluate ideas against criteria
- Select the most promising directions
- Document decisions and rationale
Brainstorming Phases
Phase 1: Divergent Thinking (Generate)
Goal: Maximize quantity and variety of ideas.
Rules:
- Defer judgment - no criticism yet
- Encourage wild ideas
- Build on others' ideas
- Stay focused on the topic
- One idea at a time
- Aim for quantity
Techniques:
Mind Mapping
Start with central concept, branch out:
[Sub-idea 1a]
/
[Idea 1] -- [Sub-idea 1b]
/ \
[TOPIC] [Sub-idea 1c]
\
[Idea 2] -- [Sub-idea 2a]
\
[Sub-idea 2b]
SCAMPER
Apply each prompt to your topic:
- Substitute - What can be replaced?
- Combine - What can be merged?
- Adapt - What can be adjusted?
- Modify - What can be changed?
- Put to other uses - Other applications?
- Eliminate - What can be removed?
- Reverse/Rearrange - Flip or reorder?
Random Stimulus
Pick a random word/image, force connections to your topic.
Reverse Brainstorming
Ask: "How could we make this worse?" Then reverse solutions.
Six Thinking Hats
Rotate perspectives:
- 🎩 White: Facts only
- 🎩 Red: Emotions/intuition
- 🎩 Black: Problems/risks
- 🎩 Yellow: Benefits/optimism
- 🎩 Green: Creativity/alternatives
- 🎩 Blue: Process/meta-thinking
Phase 2: Convergent Thinking (Organize)
Goal: Structure ideas for evaluation.
Techniques:
Affinity Grouping
- Write each idea on a virtual sticky note
- Silently group similar ideas
- Name each group
- Identify relationships between groups
Thematic Clustering
## Theme: [Name]
- Idea 1
- Idea 2
- Idea 3
## Theme: [Name]
- Idea 4
- Idea 5
Priority Matrix
| Low Effort | High Effort |
---------|------------|-------------|
High | Quick Wins | Major |
Impact | | Projects |
---------|------------|-------------|
Low | Fill-ins | Avoid |
Impact | | |
Phase 3: Evaluation
Goal: Assess ideas against criteria.
Evaluation Criteria (customize per project):
| Criterion | Weight | Description |
|---|
| Feasibility | 25% | Can we actually do this? |
| Impact | 25% | How significant is the outcome? |
| Effort | 20% | Resources required? |
| Risk | 15% | What could go wrong? |
| Alignment | 15% | Fits our goals? |
Scoring Template:
| Idea | Feasibility | Impact | Effort | Risk | Align | Total |
|------|-------------|--------|--------|------|-------|-------|
| A | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4.15 |
| B | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3.60 |
Phase 4: Selection
Goal: Choose which ideas to pursue.
Decision Criteria:
- Highest weighted score?
- Best fit for current constraints?
- Most innovative?
- Fastest to implement?
Output Template:
## Selected Ideas
### Primary Choice: [Idea Name]
- **Score**: 4.15/5
- **Rationale**: Best balance of impact and feasibility
- **Next Steps**: [Action items]
### Backup Options:
1. [Alternative 1] - if primary fails because...
2. [Alternative 2] - if constraints change...
### Parking Lot (future consideration):
- [Idea X] - revisit when Y is resolved
- [Idea Z] - interesting but premature
Session Structure
Standard 30-Minute Session
| Time | Phase | Activity |
|---|
| 0-5 | Setup | Define topic, rules, goals |
| 5-15 | Generate | Divergent brainstorming |
| 15-20 | Organize | Cluster and group |
| 20-25 | Evaluate | Score top ideas |
| 25-30 | Select | Choose direction, next steps |
Extended 60-Minute Session
| Time | Phase | Activity |
|---|
| 0-10 | Setup | Define topic, warm-up exercise |
| 10-25 | Generate | Multiple techniques |
| 25-35 | Organize | Affinity grouping |
| 35-45 | Evaluate | Detailed scoring |
| 45-55 | Select | Discussion, consensus |
| 55-60 | Close | Document, assign actions |
Facilitation Tips
Starting a Session
-
State the challenge clearly
"How might we [achieve X] while [constraint Y]?"
-
Set expectations
"We'll generate ideas for 10 minutes, then organize and evaluate."
-
Warm up (optional)
"Quick warm-up: What are 10 uses for a paperclip?"
Keeping Momentum
- Use timers to create urgency
- Call out when energy drops
- Switch techniques if stuck
- Capture every idea, even duplicates
Handling Blockers
| Blocker | Solution |
|---|
| Premature criticism | Remind: "Save evaluation for later" |
| Dominant voice | Round-robin contributions |
| Silence | Use brainwriting (write first, share second) |
| Off-topic | Note it, redirect gently |
| Analysis paralysis | Set time limits, force decisions |
Documentation Template
# Brainstorm Session: [Topic]
**Date**: YYYY-MM-DD
**Participants**: [Names or "solo"]
**Duration**: [X minutes]
**Goal**: [What we're trying to achieve]
## Ideas Generated
### Category 1: [Theme]
- Idea 1
- Idea 2
### Category 2: [Theme]
- Idea 3
- Idea 4
## Evaluation Summary
| Idea | Score | Notes |
|------|-------|-------|
| ... | ... | ... |
## Decisions
### Selected: [Idea]
**Rationale**: [Why this one]
**Next Steps**:
- [ ] Action 1
- [ ] Action 2
### Deferred: [Ideas]
- [Idea X] - Revisit when...
## Session Notes
[Any other observations, insights, or process notes]
For Academic Writing
When brainstorming for papers:
Research Questions
- What interests you about the topic?
- What gap exists in the literature?
- What would be valuable to know?
- What's counterintuitive or surprising?
Paper Structure
- What's the logical flow?
- What arguments support the thesis?
- What evidence is needed?
- What objections must be addressed?
Thesis Development
- What's your core claim?
- Why does it matter?
- What's the scope?
- What's NOT included?
Quick Reference
| Need | Technique |
|---|
| Lots of ideas fast | SCAMPER, Random stimulus |
| Deep exploration | Mind mapping |
| Different perspectives | Six Thinking Hats |
| Problem-focused | Reverse brainstorming |
| Organizing chaos | Affinity grouping |
| Making decisions | Priority matrix |
