How to Boost Your Brainstorming in 4 Steps

You are brainstorming inefficiently.

But brainstorming is a free-flowing, unstructured process, right? How could there be a right and wrong way to come up with innovative ideas?

Believe it or not, there are data-driven methods to improve how we brainstorm. When I learned a couple of techniques for more effective ideation in an entrepreneurship class, I was beyond intrigued. Everyone I’ve known, myself included, follows an unwritten formula when trying to come up with new ideas, yet this formula has plenty of flaws that largely go unnoticed.

Since realizing my mistakes, I’ve made an effort to use every opportunity possible to test out what strategies are most effective in coming up with high-quality, unique ideas.

So, based on what I’ve learned, I’ve grouped together a basic structure that can vastly improve the quality of your brainstorming sessions.

Presenting the PINK Brainstorming Method.

1. Identify the Problem: What ­Exactly are you trying to solve?

In the beginning stages, it is crucial that all team members know exactly what it is that you are aiming to solve. First layout the main problem, the underlying issues, and if possible, a vague idea of what needs to change to solve it. Map out these points as a team. Having a visual representation of the problem narrows efforts and ensures that ideation is targeted towards solving the root of the problem. Getting everyone involved and explaining the depth of the problem can also instill intrinsic motivation in the team to find a fully functioning solution.

When the problems aren’t yet identified in an open ideation session, it is just as vital to identify a problem worth solving before diving into thinking about a solution. The goal should be to fall in love with the problem, not the solution. It is very rare to come up with a perfect solution. You need to understand this and be willing to explore your options. Your solution will almost certainly change; however, the problem will always remain the same.

Example:

Problem: Printing is expensive and ineffective.

Underlying: Printing technology is outdated. Printing companies sell their printers at cost to make a profit off of expensive cartridges.

Opportunity: Either printing needs to become more affordable, or the quality and reliability need to be improved to make it worth the expense.

2. Initial Individual Ideation: What ideas do you already have?

Once you have a clear understanding of the problem at hand, it is essential to split up to brainstorm solutions individually.

Each person should aim to come up with 10 ideas within a 3-minute time frame.

Brainstorming individually allows for different perspectives while avoiding common errors such as groupthink. For the last couple of ideas, think as far outside the box as possible, completely disregarding feasibility. This is one of the few situations where it is crucial to weigh quantity over quality. By focusing on quantity, you will naturally focus on larger scale ideas as opposed to narrowing down your efforts on exact solutions. These larger-scale ideas can then be refined into a complete solution in later stages.

Setting boundaries like this may seem counter-intuitive to coming up with quality ideas, however, it is actually quite the opposite. Constraints drive creativity. That being said, it is crucial to find the right balance. Too few constraints don’t provide the direction or motivation to find the best solution. On the other hand, too many constraints restrict potential avenues and discourage creative thinking.

Relationship between constraints and potential for perceived creativity

3. Building the Nucleus: What ideas can you create together?

After your brief individual brainstorming, it’s now time to come together to start piecing together your solution.

Each person should take turns putting their sticky notes up on a board, removing any duplicates that come up. As each idea goes up on the board, it should be accompanied by a one-sentence explanation of its perceived value.

Eliminate judgment and ensure that all ideas are treated equally. Once you’ve got your basis of ideas posted up, you should go through each idea and try to pull one feasible application for a potential solution. Do your best to pull a feasible solution from even the craziest of ideas. The wildest ideas often reveal unique insights that otherwise go unnoticed.

Use a “Yes, and…” mentality when discussing ideas to avoid negativity or personal bias towards any ideas. Try and find positives, adding on how you think you could make that specific idea even better.

This piece is essentially building out the nucleus of your solution. The textbook definition of a nucleus is “the central and most important part of an object, movement, or group, forming the basis for its activity and growth”, and this sums up exactly how you should view your solution.

The nucleus of your solution is going to be a functioning base that has plenty of room to grow and improve.

4. Keep thinking: How can you improve this idea moving forward?

So, you’ve got your solution. What now?

The first step to implementing it successfully is recognizing that brainstorming is an ongoing process. Although you have identified a great idea, there is always room for improvement. Outside of the formal ideation session is where most of the fine-tuning will happen. You never know when you will notice a parallel that can spur an “aha” moment that hadn’t previously clicked. Remain open to changes — make a conscious effort to block your internal drive to validate your solution.

Disconnecting your ego from the idea is difficult, however, it is one strategy that can help you think more objectively regarding the change. Learn to encourage criticism and seek ways to disprove your initial thoughts rather than justify them. This process may seem negative or regressive, yet it is necessary to eliminating bias in the ideation process.

Continue learning and improving. Remember that a solution should never be final and you should always strive for improvement.

Putting it all together:

1. Identify a Problem that you understand deeply and are passionate about solving.

2. Begin initial individual Ideation of high-level solutions.

3. Build a Nucleus surrounding pieces of the best ideas.

4. Keep thinking. Effective brainstorming is an ongoing process.

Based on my experience I have found that a process along these lines is significantly more effective in coming up with unique ideas. Despite my success using this method, it would be extremely hypocritical to say this is the best way to brainstorm.

Try and find what works best for you. After all, staying open-minded and thinking from different perspectives is the root of effective brainstorming.