Overview
Brainstorming is an elicitation technique that can be used to identify a list of ideas in a short period of time (e.g., a list of risks, stakeholders, or potential solution options).
Brainstorming is conducted in a group setting, and led by a facilitator. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible about a topic. The facilitator ensures that every one participates in the session and no individual monopolizes the session.
Key Aspects
The key aspects of brainstorming are:
- All ideas are welcome.
- No idea is critiqued or criticized.
Parts of Brainstorming
Brainstorming has two parts:
- Idea generation
- Analysis
First a list of ideas is generated and then it is analyzed to convert ideas into usable information.
Affinity diagram is a companion technique to brainstorming. It is used to organize ideas into categories or common themes, which provides new insights into the topic that might not be possible otherwise.