7 Steps to Brainstorming (PowerPoint PPT Slide Deck)

DESCRIPTION

This product (7 Steps to Brainstorming) is a 20-slide PPT PowerPoint presentation slide deck (PPT), which you can download immediately upon purchase.

Creative ideas are the backbone of businesses—be it innovative products, timesaving process improvements, to next growth opportunity.

Every manager aspire to generate creative ideas consistently from their teams. Most of the teams globally are accustomed to routine Brainstorming sessions to generate new ideas. These sessions are typically unstructured, attended passively by a group of people trying to pay attention to a moderator who requests the team to think outside the box. The attendees, predominantly, remain quiet during the session, while a few take over the session with their archaic ideas, which are seldom acted upon after the session.

This presentation provides a detailed account of a more productive, question-based approach to Brainstorming, making use of the presence, attention, and insights of all the participants. Such an approach demands more planning, but delivers better ideas to solve problems and tackle various business situations.

This practical approach to Brainstorming and idea generation entails 7 key steps:

1. Understand Our Organization's Decision Making Criteria
2. Ask the Right Questions
3. Pick People Who Can Answer the Questions
4. Hold Focused Idea Generation Sessions
5. Set the Brainstorming Expectations
6. Have Subgroups Determine Their Leading Ideas
7. Follow up Quickly

The slide deck also includes some slide templates for you to use in your own business presentations.

This deck provides a structured framework to transform your brainstorming sessions into highly productive, idea-generating workshops. It emphasizes the importance of understanding decision-making criteria, selecting the right participants, and setting clear expectations. The approach ensures that all voices are heard and ideas are evaluated effectively. The included templates streamline the process, making it easier to implement in your organization. This resource is essential for leaders aiming to foster innovation and drive meaningful outcomes from their teams.

Source: Best Practices in Problem Solving, Brainstorming PowerPoint Slides: 7 Steps to Brainstorming PowerPoint (PPT) Presentation Slide Deck, LearnPPT Consulting

PPT SLIDE DEEP DIVES

Establishing Decision-Making Criteria for Effective Brainstorming

This PPT slide outlines the initial step in a structured approach to brainstorming, emphasizing the importance of understanding an organization’s decision-making criteria. It begins by highlighting the limitations of traditional brainstorming sessions, where ideas often fail to progress due to rigid adherence to existing policies and procedures. This context sets the stage for a more effective brainstorming process.

The underlying process section stresses that leaders must clearly define the criteria that guide their organization’s decision-making. This involves quantifying these criteria for clarity, which helps in evaluating the feasibility of ideas generated during brainstorming. For instance, it mentions that proposed ideas should not exceed a specific investment threshold per branch and must demonstrate potential for short-term profitability. This specificity ensures that only viable ideas are considered.

Furthermore, the slide points out the necessity for leaders to understand the boundaries and limitations that exist within the organization. Ideas that conflict with established protocols, such as those requiring new regulatory approvals, are likely to be dismissed. The example provided illustrates how an idea related to IT changes could be rejected if it contradicts existing management decisions.

Finally, confirming these criteria and limitations is crucial for fostering productive brainstorming sessions. By doing so, organizations can generate a wider array of practical and profitable ideas that align with their operational realities. This structured approach not only enhances the quality of ideas, but also ensures they are actionable within the organization's framework.

Guidelines for Subgroup Idea Selection in Brainstorming

This PPT slide outlines a critical step in the brainstorming process, focusing on how subgroups should identify their leading ideas. It begins by establishing the context, noting that a subgroup typically generates around 15 viable ideas by daybreak, contributing to a collective output of up to 60 ideas from a 20-person team working in parallel. This sets the stage for a structured approach to refining those ideas.

The underlying process emphasizes that the selection of the best ideas should not fall to the subgroup members themselves. Instead, this task is reserved for senior management, who possess the necessary insights and judgment for effective evaluation. This distinction is crucial, as it prevents potential biases and ensures that the most promising ideas are recognized.

The slide advises against the practice of declaring winners at the end of brainstorming sessions, labeling it as counterproductive. Instead, all subgroups are encouraged to shortlist their top ideas and present them to the larger group. This collaborative review serves to motivate participants and foster a sense of shared purpose.

Finally, it underscores the importance of clear communication from leadership. Participants should be informed about the next steps regarding which ideas will be implemented. This transparency is vital for maintaining engagement and ensuring that all contributors feel valued in the decision-making process. Overall, the slide provides a structured framework for enhancing the effectiveness of brainstorming sessions through careful idea selection and leadership involvement.

Structured Approach to Focused Idea Generation Workshops

This PPT slide outlines a structured approach to conducting effective brainstorming sessions, emphasizing the importance of focused idea generation workshops. It contrasts traditional brainstorming methods, which often result in chaotic discussions, with a more organized format that involves small subgroups. These subgroups, consisting of 3 to 5 participants, are tasked with addressing a single question for a set duration, typically around 30 minutes. This structure encourages more open and frank discussions, as smaller groups tend to foster a more comfortable environment for participants to share their ideas.

The slide highlights the necessity of managing group dynamics by identifying individuals who may inhibit the flow of ideas. It categorizes these individuals into 3 types: bosses, "big mouths," and subject matter experts. The presence of these individuals can stifle contributions from others, particularly in mixed organizational levels where hierarchical pressures exist. The recommendation is to create subgroups that minimize these dynamics, allowing for a more equitable exchange of ideas.

Furthermore, the slide suggests assigning a specific number of questions—between 15 to 20—to each subgroup, ensuring that participants are prepared to engage with the material effectively. This focused approach not only streamlines the brainstorming process, but also enhances the quality of the ideas generated. Overall, the slide advocates for a more disciplined method of brainstorming that can lead to more actionable insights and innovative solutions.

Structured Questioning for Effective Brainstorming Sessions

This PPT slide outlines the second step in a structured brainstorming process, focusing on the importance of asking the right questions. The context emphasizes a shift from traditional brainstorming, which often prioritizes the sheer volume of ideas, to a more organized approach that encourages probing to yield viable concepts.

The underlying process section details the role of moderators and senior managers in crafting a set of 15 to 20 well-constructed questions for a workshop involving around 20 participants. It highlights the necessity for participants to rigorously analyze these questions in small groups during idea generation sessions. This analysis is crucial for fostering a productive environment where innovative ideas can emerge.

Two key parameters guide the formulation of these questions. First, they should encourage attendees to adopt a fresh perspective, challenging their existing thought patterns. Second, while the questions must direct the team's focus, they should not be overly restrictive, allowing for a range of responses.

Examples provided illustrate how to frame questions effectively. For a consumer electronics company, questions might include inquiries about customer experiences or obstacles that, if removed, could transform operational methods. This approach ensures that the questions stimulate meaningful dialogue and exploration among participants.

The concluding note stresses that well-thought-out questions empower executives to generate effective outcomes, reinforcing the idea that the quality of inquiry can significantly impact the brainstorming process. This slide serves as a practical guide for organizations looking to enhance their brainstorming sessions through structured questioning.