Brainstorming is all about divergent thinking. In divergent thinking we imagine a world of possibilities, we realize an “infinite sequence that does not have a limit…” (Definition of DIVERGENT 2016)
Simply put, we “think outside of the box.”
In workshops, brainstorming is a lot of fun. That is, until about the two-minute mark when an internal voice joins the group to whisper things like, “there can’t possibly be any other ideas possible in the world, we have thought of everything.”
Thinking outside of the box can be a challenge when all you are surrounded by is boxes: the post-its you are brainstorming with, the rectangular paper you are sticking them to, the four walls of the room you are in… you get the picture.
To help combat this challenge and help participants of the Ibiza Service Jam maximize the number of ideas while minimizing judgment, we employed two main techniques: The use of challenge questions and the 6 x 3 x 5 method. We also focused on creating an environment that replaced “yes, but …” with “yes, and.…"
When the ideas begin to slow...
At the Jam, facilitators prompted teams with challenge questions when the flow of ideas began to slow:
The evil brainstorm
What is the opposite or absolutely worst solution to this problem? (Gray, Brown & Macanufo 2010, 80)
For example, Jam facilitator Martin Jordan asked a team working on water quality to reverse thought and brainstorm ways to make water quality worse instead of better. (Evil, right?) While the direct result of this exercise will never see the light of day, this challenge energized an otherwise weary team. They then began to think of the water retrieval and delivery system in an entirely new light. This spurred new ideas later on and sent the message that no idea is off the table, yet.
Find untapped resources
Ask, “How might we use an untapped resource to solve this challenge?” (Futurice Lean Service Creation Toolkit n.d.)
One team was working on a service to help singles find love. By exploring this challenge question, the team began to think about how friends, co-workers or even strangers might be involved as part of the solution.
Question an assumption
What is an assumption we are making that might not be true?
The Jam began with a common theme: the sound of a drop of water. Teams had to brainstorm what the sound meant in order to identify their challenges. By questioning an assumption, the team began to think, what if the sound wasn’t water at all? What if it was beer? Gasoline? Milk?
These challenge questions helped increase divergent thinking at the Ibiza Global Service Jam and maybe even have the potential to help you think about your next challenge in a new way.
In the next blog post, we will take a look at the 6 x 3 x 5 brainstorm method.
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Sources:
2016. Definition of DIVERGENT. Referred 23.3.2016. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divergent.
Futurice Lean Service Creation Toolkit. Referred 23.3.2016. https://fl-cdn.scdn1.secure.raxcdn.com/files/2660/lsc-wall_1-4.pdf.
Gray, D. , Brown, S. , & Macanufo, J. 2010. Gamestorming: a playbook for innovators, rulebreakers, and changemakers. Beijing: O’Reilly.
This is the third in a series of posts featuring tips and tools used to help participants of the Ibiza Service Jam discover how a design thinking can transform the way we look at problems.