Brainstorming
Powerful tool for design teams
Used to generate ideas in a group
Can be used on any sub-problem
It is best after knowing the main design
requirements
Ground Rules
Relax
Have fun
Laugh
Support
Ground Rules
No boundaries
Completely free your mind
No limits on the number of ideas
Fragmented ideas OK
Just keywords OK
Ground Rules
No criticizing (during or after)
No evaluating or dismissing
No dismissing EVEN BY YOU
YOURSELF
No “You must be joking” looks or
comments
Ground Rules
Explain quickly (few seconds)
No questions
Let ideas you don’t understand go
Speed is the key
Important is “Association” not “Viability”
Ground Rules
Avoid subtle evaluations
How is it going to do …
Isn't this violating the rules
That is an excellent idea
How is this different than that idea
Ground Rules
Select a moderator
No dominating
No interrupting
No passing
Ground Rules
Short session (20 minutes)
Create ideas in silence
Multiple rounds
Idea Trigger Method
Phase I: Idea Purge Phase
The objective is declared.
Many ideas written rapidly on sheet of paper.
There is a relaxation break after two minutes.
The process continues for another minute.
Idea Trigger Method
Phase II: Idea Trigger Phase
Leader calls each member for their ideas.
Team members cross out shared ideas.
Each idea as read may trigger other ideas
in other members who write them down
quickly on a second page.
After the first round, the members repeat
the reading process for the second sheet
and more until no new ideas are triggered.
Idea Trigger Method
Phase III: Compilation
Members compile and classify ideas into a
master list and distribute it.
Afterwards
Work alone to create more ideas.
Meet and selects promising ideas.
Promising ideas are developed in more
detail listing pros and cons.
Idea Selection
Team meets and selects one design to
be engineered.
Team members identify critical sub-
systems and hold brainstorming
sessions on such sub-systems.