6.9.1 Brainstorming (continued)

F) Participants

Participants should have knowledge and/or experience with the field in which the problem is based. If there are participants who have no previous experience with brainstorming then they should attend an orientation session at which they learn what to expect. This meeting could include a discussion of the fundamentals of thinking and forming ideas as well as the basic principles of brainstorming. Use can also be made of slides, movies, etc.

It is helpful for the group to include a few "self‑starters" to get the ball rolling. If they dominate or monopolize the group it may be necessary to tell them to hold back. As Bristol put it, "In choosing your panel member, it is wise to choose at least one or two people of known creative ability. You may find it wise, also to choose a few panel members who are not too close to your problem, because their ideas may reflect a more refreshing approach to your problem".

Executives who "have been over‑trained in the usual kind of non‑creative conference" are undesirable as participants. All members of a brainstorming group should hold the same administrative rank within the organization so as not to feel inhibited in their superiors' presence.

Brainstorming groups can be established throughout an organization. Guests from other parts of the organization could be invited to any core group so that more and more people gain experience in solving problems creatively.

The optimal size of an idea‑finding brainstorming group is twelve persons. The critical point is not so much the size of the group as that it should be an even number of persons. For idea evaluation or decision making, according to Osborn, one might want an odd number of participants. In the idea‑finding group, in addition to the leader, associate leader, and recording secretary (who is not really a participating member of the group) the group can consist of five regular or core members and five positions that can be filled by nonregular members or visitors.

Obviously, both men and women can constitute a brainstorming group. And a group so composed can frequently add more rivalry, excitement, and zest to the group process.