6.9.1 Brainstorming (continued)

K) The Process

Prior to the brainstorming session, the leader prepares about a 1‑page memorandum in which the time and place of the brainstorming session is given as well as a very simple statement of the problem. The memorandum also includes the background of the problem and examples of the kinds of ideas that are desired. If necessary, illustrations and other exhibits should accompany the memorandum.

This memorandum is circulated to the participants at least 2 days before the brainstorming session so that they can become acquainted with the problem and allows their ideas to incubate.

When the participants report at the time selected for the brainstorming session, the leader starts off new participants with a warm-up session using some very simple problem (improving men's pants is one suggested by Osborn) unrelated to the problem they will finally work on.

The leader presents the problem and answers questions. The four brainstorming rules are stated: "(1) Criticism is ruled out. (2) 'Free‑wheeling' is welcomed. (3) Quantity is wanted. (4) Combination and improvement are sought". Then he calls for ideas and suggestions from the group.

Just as soon as a hand goes up the leader asks the person to state his idea. If too many hands go up, each person in turn is given a chance to state one idea. No one is allowed to read his ideas from a list if he brought such to the meeting. The lists can be given to the leader before the meeting and their contents should be given at the meeting.

As people verbalize their ideas, one idea may stimulate a related idea. These are called "hitch‑hikes", and they are given priority of statement in the brainstorming process. It is important that a participant have some way of signifying (e.g., snapping his fingers) that he has a hitch‑hike so he can be given priority by the leader. A participant might well make a note of his ideas so that he doesn't forget them.

When the group seems as if it is running dry, the leader might encourage the participants to come up with more ideas by telling them how well they have already done or by urging them to come up with "about 10 more ideas," etc. He can suggest his own ideas during these slow periods or come up with idea.

We could have something that you placed over a cup and as you pressed it, it opened out to release some sugar and at the same time spun to stir the sugar in.

... If there is so much fun stirring in sugar then perhaps we ought to have some sort of inert sugar which people who don't like sugar could use in order to enjoy stirring in.

A once off spoon made of sugar.

A device which contains sugar and which is moved up and down in the cup. But if you don't want sugar you keep a gate closed.

. . . I would like to take up the idea of electricity but not using a battery or anything like but using the static electricity present in the body.

... This idea of a screw. One could do it on the autogiro principle. As the screw went up and down the fluid would make it revolve.

... Like a spinning top.

... A vibrating table that would agitate everything on it‑whether you had sugar or not.

... What about a sugar impregnated stick?

At the end of the brainstorming session participants are asked to keep the problem in mind for the next day allowing them further opportunity for incubation. They are later contacted by the leader who notes their new ideas if they have come up with any. A list of all ideas is then compiled and after the leader ascertains that ideas are stated succinctly and clearly, and properly classified if necessary, is presented to the evaluation group.