CPS Chapter 6: Idea Generation, Brainstorming, and Teamwork
Teamwork
The process of working collaboratively with a group of people in order to achieve a goal. People will try to cooperate using their individual skills and providing constructive feedback, despite any personal conflict between individuals.
Advantages
- More information and knowledge available
- Encourage creative and better ideas
- Productivity and chances of innovation increase
- Identify opportunities and taking greater risks
- Encourage environment for developing leadership skills
Disadvantages
- Greater investment and personnel time needed
- Low efficiency
- Conflict and hostility
- Suffer from “group think” phenomenon
Team Management
The administration of a group of people assembled to work on a particular project or to perform a particular function within an organization.
Involves setting team priorities and performance objectives, reviewing performance and methods employed and spearheading the team’s decision making process.
Management and Team Responsibility
- Goal: Give the team an assignment with a clear, achievable goal or specific objectives or task.
- Structure: The objectives should be customer-driven and will determine the structure and scope of the team. But the experienced team can be self-directed.
- Team Members: The team are selected for the thinking skills, personal expertise and other abilities they will be able to contribute to the team.
- Commitment: Management and the team share a unified commitment to the teamwork concept as well as to the problem solving process.
- Climate: A collaborative climate is maintained within the team. They want to achieve team results not individual glory.
- Support: Management supports the team’s effort with the needed resources such as financial or facilities for the team to achieve goal.
Team Development
What is a Team?
A team is a group of individuals, all working together for a common purpose. A team must have individuals with common objective to achieve.
What Makes a Creative Team?
- Intelligence
- Expertise in problem area
- Independent judgment
- Self confidence
- Imagination
- Enthusiasm
- Divergent thinking skill
Verbal Brainstorming
A team activity developed in 1938 by Alex Osborn. It is a group method of creative idea generation. The best number of people in a verbal brainstorming team is from 3-9.
The Three Rules of Brainstorming
- No criticism of ideas
- Free-wheeling is encouraged
- Quantity of ideas is sought
Example in Action: Verbal Brainstorming
Problem: "How can our office reduce its daily plastic waste?"
Process: A team of 5 people gathers. A facilitator writes the problem on a whiteboard and states the three rules. For 15 minutes, everyone calls out ideas.
Simulated Idea List:
- Get reusable water bottles for everyone.
- Remove all plastic cutlery from the kitchen.
- Tax single-use coffee cups.
- A "no-plastic" challenge with a prize.
- Partner with a local composting service.
- Edible spoons! (A free-wheeling idea)
- Install a high-quality water filter machine.
- Ask a local zero-waste shop for advice.
Brainwriting Methods
Also called writing brainstorming. Suitable for engineers, mixed-gender groups, and shy people. It allows for larger teams (over a dozen).
Disadvantages: Lack of direct verbal interaction, which may reduce the quality of ideas.
Example in Action: Method 6-3-5
Problem: "How can we improve the new employee onboarding experience?"
Process: 6 people are given a worksheet. Each person writes down 3 ideas in 5 minutes (e.g., "1. Assign a mentor," "2. Create a 1-week checklist," "3. Gamify the training"). After 5 minutes, everyone passes their sheet to the person on their right. They read the previous ideas and add 3 new ones, building on what's there. This continues 5 more times until everyone gets their original sheet back.
Result: In just 30 minutes, the team generates 108 ideas (6 people x 3 ideas x 6 rounds).
12 Brainwriting Methods
Method 6-3-5
Six people, three ideas, five minutes per round.
Gallery Method
(Details not provided in source)
Cranford Slip Writing
Used to collect ideas from large groups, even thousands.
Electronic Brainstorming
People connected via email; a signal flashes with a new idea.
Bulletin Board
A low-tech equivalent, very appropriate for children.
"Ringii" Method
Minimal face-to-face. An idea is submitted on paper to others.
Pin Card Method
(Details not provided in source)
Mind Mapping
Combines brainstorming, sketching, and diagramming.
Brainwriting Pool
Ideas are written on sheets (one per sheet). People work at their own pace.
Nominal Group Technique
(Details not provided, but implies lack of group interaction).
Collective Notebook
Useful for people uncomfortable in groups who like to ponder.
Delphi Method
Written brainstorming that continues until consensus is reached. Used for planning.
Interactive Brainstorming Techniques
Example in Action: Storyboard
Problem: "Design the user experience for our new mobile app."
Process: A team uses a large whiteboard, drawing columns for each step of the user's journey: "1. App Download," "2. Sign Up," "3. Main Dashboard," "4. Making a Purchase," "5. Getting Support." Team members then use sticky notes to add ideas, features, and potential pain points to each column.
Result: A visual matrix that displays the entire app flow, allowing the team to see the big picture and identify gaps or opportunities.
Idea Trigger Method
Session begins with silence for members to write down initial ideas, which are then shared.
Morphological Creativity
A structured approach for complex problems. Generates relationships between factors to define the problem and find solutions.
Storyboard
A matrix that visually displays ideas in several categories. Used for brainstorming, planning, or idea evaluation.
Integrated Problem Solving
Resembles the synthesis/evaluation phase that normally follows a brainstorming session.
Panel Format
Suitable for a large group that cannot be separated into smaller groups for brainstorming.
Synectics
A highly developed technique emphasizing imagination. Uses analogies and paradoxes to stimulate creative thinking.
Force Fitting Techniques
These techniques are especially useful when a group is "stuck" and not able to bring forth many creative ideas.
Example in Action: Attribute Listing
Problem: "How can we innovate the standard backpack?"
Process: The team lists all the attributes of a backpack, then brainstorms ways to change each one.
- Attribute: Material -> Change to: Waterproof canvas, transparent plastic, recycled tires, smart fabric with LEDs.
- Attribute: Straps -> Change to: Single strap, magnetic clasps, built-in massagers, quick-release.
- Attribute: Storage -> Change to: Modular/removable pockets, insulated snack compartment, solar panel charger, built-in lock.
Result: By breaking the problem down, the team can generate specific, innovative features instead of just "a better backpack."
Imagine Success
Instead of the problem, focus on the "ideal state" or "what should be".
Attribute Listing
Use as a checklist or matrix to identify promising areas for brainstorming.
Force Fitting Two Unrelated Ideas
Useful for getting "unstuck" and for hitchhiking on existing ideas.
Bionics
A simple technique that employs analogy to nature and living organisms.
Big Dream / Wishful Thinking
Have the group think of the biggest, most "far out" solution possible.
Free Association
Start by jotting down a symbol (related or unrelated) and see what it sparks.
Forced Relationship Matrix
Practice by rearranging the words in a short sentence.
Idea Generator Tools
Commercially available tools (cards, charts, software) to spark ideas.
Thought Starter Questions
Using a chart or list of questions to help generate creative ideas.
Force Fit Game
A game used as a creative thinking warm-up; not serious business.