Brainstorming Tips

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Here are some ideas and tips to help you use brainstorming more effectively, particularly in a training setting.

There should be both a group leader and a recorder (separate people). The fast pace of brainstorming makes it difficult to both manage the process and record the ideas.
The trainer should keep the process fast paced and moving, while always maintaining the position of non-evaluation during the idea generation phase.
Brainstorming that drags on (either in generating ideas or evaluating them) loses purpose, and becomes annoying.
If the training group is large, consider breaking them down into smaller sub-groups for the brainstorming, in effect combining small group discussion with brainstorming. Large groups can be intimidating for some, and having a number of smaller groups has some creative advantages. However, it's harder to monitor sub-groups to ensure they are abstaining from evaluation during the idea generation phase.
Provide a time line and stick to it, and make the time line for generating ideas short, to create a sense of energy and focus, particularly if you are using multiple small groups.
During idea generation, trainer should focus group on quantity of ideas, not quality.
Ideas should be recorded in a public and visible place as they are generated. Flipcharts, while low tech, are still the best vehicle for recording.
If the ideas generated are important for use throughout a longer training session, consider having the ideas re-written on paper for distribution to the group, or to be used as a training takeaway.