Stop 02 · Requirements ElicitationTopics · 7/10

Brainstorming Techniques

In short

Brainstorming is not 'everyone shout ideas for an hour'. Done with a bit of structure, it gives you lots of options fast, and then helps you sort the good ones out.

Structured group idea-generation methods — used to explore possible solutions or requirements broadly before narrowing down, with techniques like mind mapping helping organize scattered ideas visually.

The purple blob sticks one more blank note onto a wall full of colourful sticky notes.

Think of it like this

Naming a new chai shop

You and your friends are naming a chai shop. If someone says 'bakwaas' to every idea, people stop talking. If you first throw out fifty names with no judging, then group and vote, you end up with a name everyone likes.

Watch it happen

A mind map of why deliveries are late

Late deliveries

Rider

Kitchen

App

Traffic

Wrong address

Slow prep

Bad ETA

1/5Write the problem in the centre. Everyone adds ideas around it.

The big ideas

What you need to know

No judging at first

Separate generating ideas from evaluating them. Criticism too early kills the unusual ideas that are often the best.

Brainwriting

Everyone writes ideas silently first, then shares. Quiet people contribute equally and you get more ideas.

Mind mapping

Put the problem in the middle and branch out. It shows how ideas connect and groups them as you go.

Then narrow down

Group similar ideas and dot-vote. Each person gets three votes to place on their favourites.

Save yourself the pain

Common mistakes

Oops

Starting with 'Any ideas?' and no clear question.

Do this instead

Frame a specific prompt like 'How might we cut refund time in half?' so ideas stay focused.

Oops

Leaving with 80 sticky notes and no next step.

Do this instead

Group, vote and pick the top three to explore further, with an owner for each.

Your mission

Run a brainwriting round

~25 min

Quick check

Why do many facilitators prefer brainwriting over open shouting-out of ideas?

Go deeper

1Run a mind-mapping exercise for a hypothetical problem area.
2Learn why separating idea generation from idea evaluation produces more creative output.
3Practice facilitating a brainstorm that stays focused without shutting down ideas too early.