Brainstorming Template

What is Brainstorming?

Brainstorming is a structured creative thinking technique used to generate a large volume of ideas in response to a specific problem or challenge. It is one of the most accessible and widely used tools for sparking innovation, solving complex problems, and fostering collaboration within teams.

The goal of brainstorming is not to immediately find the perfect solution, but to encourage a wide range of possibilities through open dialogue and divergent thinking. By temporarily suspending judgment and encouraging all contributions—no matter how unconventional—brainstorming unlocks ideas that might otherwise be overlooked in a traditional problem-solving process.

Brainstorming plays a central role in innovation efforts, whether as part of a design thinking workshop, a Six Sigma process improvement initiative, or a strategic planning session. When done effectively, it empowers teams to think beyond the obvious and uncover creative, high-potential solutions to real business challenges.

Brainstorming in Innovation

Brainstorming fits naturally into innovation projects, particularly in the early phases of ideation. It is used to generate solutions after customer insights have been gathered, pain points have been identified, or new opportunities have emerged.

In real-world innovation scenarios, brainstorming helps teams:

• Develop ideas for new products, features, or services.
• Reimagine customer experiences based on ethnographic or empathy research.
• Solve process inefficiencies uncovered during journey mapping or workflow analysis.
• Explore strategic responses to emerging trends or market shifts.

Brainstorming also strengthens team cohesion and cross-functional collaboration. It creates space for every team member to contribute their perspective, regardless of role or rank. This inclusive approach leads to more well-rounded and informed ideas, which are critical to successful innovation.

By encouraging volume and diversity of ideas, brainstorming creates the raw material for concept development, prototyping, and testing. It helps teams avoid the trap of incrementalism and opens the door to breakthrough thinking.

Getting Started with the Brainstorming Template

To use brainstorming effectively, it is important to follow a structured yet flexible process. Below is a step-by-step guide to help innovation teams get the most out of this creative tool.

1. Define the Problem or Challenge

Start with a clear, focused prompt that guides the session. Avoid vague or overly broad questions.

• Reframe insights or pain points as “How might we…?” questions.
• Ensure the challenge is relevant to the project or user needs.
• Share any background research to create shared understanding.

Examples:

• “How might we reduce stress for first-time users of our platform?”
• “How might we improve the handoff between sales and onboarding?”

A well-framed challenge sets the direction and opens creative possibilities.

2. Set Ground Rules and Create a Safe Space

Establish guidelines that promote open participation and creativity:

• Defer judgment—no criticism or evaluation during idea generation.
• Encourage wild ideas—stretch thinking beyond constraints.
• Build on the ideas of others—”Yes, and…” instead of “No, but.”
• Stay focused on the topic.
• Aim for quantity over quality in the initial round.

Creating psychological safety ensures all voices are heard and valued.

3. Choose the Right Participants

Include a diverse mix of participants from various functions, experience levels, or perspectives. Innovation benefits from cross-pollination:

• Product, marketing, operations, and customer support.
• End users, stakeholders, and even external partners.

Balance team size to allow for varied input without overcrowding. Groups of 5–8 people typically work well.

4. Select the Brainstorming Method

Choose a method that fits the session’s goals and constraints:

• Classic Brainstorming: Verbal idea sharing in a group setting.
• Brainwriting: Silent idea generation, then sharing and discussion.
• Round Robin: Each person takes a turn sharing one idea.
• SCAMPER: A structured technique using prompts (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, etc.).
• Crazy 8s: Each person sketches 8 ideas in 8 minutes.

You can combine methods in a single session to keep energy high and ideas flowing.

5. Facilitate the Session Actively

Assign a facilitator to:

• Keep time and guide transitions between exercises.
• Capture all ideas visually (whiteboard, sticky notes, virtual boards).
• Ensure equal participation and keep energy up.
• Remind the group of ground rules and challenge focus.

The facilitator is key to managing pace, engagement, and output.

6. Organize and Cluster Ideas

After the idea generation phase, switch to synthesis:

• Group similar ideas into themes.
• Identify patterns or unique approaches.
• Use dot voting or scoring to prioritize ideas.

Avoid editing or narrowing too early—allow the team to sit with a wide range of possibilities.

7. Select Ideas for Further Development

Choose ideas that:

• Address core user needs or business goals.
• Are feasible within current resources or can be prototyped quickly.
• Represent novel or differentiated thinking.

These ideas move forward into prototyping, testing, or deeper exploration.

Project Recommendations for Success

Lack of Structure

Brainstorming can feel chaotic without a plan.

• Use timeboxes for each activity.
• Start with a warm-up to build momentum.
• Use prompts or templates to guide thinking.

Groupthink or Dominant Voices

Diversity of input matters.

• Use silent ideation to let all voices be heard.
• Have the facilitator encourage quieter participants.
• Set equal speaking opportunities in round-robin formats.

Jumping to Evaluation Too Early

Premature judgment shuts down creativity.

• Separate idea generation from selection.
• Remind participants that all ideas are welcome.
• Park concerns for review in a later phase.

Low Participation or Energy

Energy drives outcomes.

• Use energizers or creativity games to reset.
• Mix individual and group activities.
• Keep the atmosphere playful and curious.

Complementary Tools and Templates for Success

• Brainstorming Prompt Cards – Provide idea-generating questions and themes.
• Idea Capture Canvas – Organizes ideas into categories for review.
• Dot Voting Template – Prioritizes ideas quickly in group settings.
• Innovation Challenge Brief – Clarifies background, goals, and framing.
• Concept Development Worksheet – Expands on promising ideas with additional detail.

Conclusion

Brainstorming is more than a creative exercise—it is a practical and powerful innovation tool. When structured properly, it enables teams to generate ideas that are bold, inclusive, and grounded in real challenges.

This process builds momentum, opens minds, and sparks collaboration. It encourages organizations to think beyond limitations and take intelligent creative risks. Whether used in a strategy session, a product workshop, or a process redesign sprint, brainstorming helps teams see new possibilities and take the first steps toward meaningful change.

In a fast-paced and uncertain world, the ability to generate and act on ideas quickly is a competitive advantage. Brainstorming provides the engine for that agility—transforming diverse perspectives into shared purpose and innovation into action.