A team approach to brainstorming can be very beneficial to any organization. First, it helps to level the playing field and discourage dominating personalities, which can often times influence or restrict the ideas of the other participants. Secondly, the process helps increase the level of participation among ALL group members by ensuring that everyone has a role in contributing to the meeting. Last, but not least, it allows all members to participate regardless of level of experience or tenure with the company.
Listed below are 5 steps on how to implement an effective team brainstorming technique. This technique was derived from Agile Software development, a philosophy and process that focuses on increasing workplace productivity and quality.
Step 1: Who wants to lead? The first step in applying this philosophy is to designate an individual to facilitate the session and ensure that the philosophy is carried out appropriately to achieve the desired outcome of the meeting.
Step 2: Ready, Set, Goal. The second step is for the facilitator to present a specific question or goal to the group to generate ideas or feedback.
Step 3: Got an idea? Share it. The third step involves the facilitator distributing several 3 x5 note cards to each group member. Each member is required to write one idea per card and read it out loud to the group before placing the card in the middle of the table. If needed, group members will discuss the meaning of the cards to ensure that everyone has a collective and consistent view of what each card represents. It is common that these discussions will many times trigger additional ideas within the group.
Utilizing the above process to collect ideas ensures that everyone is given the opportunity to contribute equally. Note cards are used because they represent something physical that employees can feel, touch, stack and push around the table. It is important to gather all input and ideas prior to proceeding with the discussion.
Step 4: Put the puzzle…together. The fourth step involves the group arranging the cards on the table and together determining which ideas are the most critical. This process encourages collaboration and allows everyone to equally voice their opinions during the brainstorming session.
Step 5: Solve it as a team. Once the team has identified the most important ideas, the remainder of the session is focused on a more in-depth discussion around each point to break-down into individual assigned tasks, if appropriate, or to come to general consensus on a desired course of action.
With a team approach, you can’t lose! By employing this technique as part of your company’s strategic planning session, it allows employees to successfully generate many ideas for future consideration as well as specifically target and focus on critical elements of your business to achieve corporate goals and foster continued growth.
