<ul><li>Find comfortable setting</li><li>Minimize distractions</li><li>Use tools you're comfortable with (e.g., mind maps)</li><li>Clearly define the problem</li><li>Develop list of related questions</li><li>Record your first idea</li><li>Ask yourself, "If this idea couldn't be made to work, what would be the next best idea?"</li></ul>

Tips on Individual Brainstorming

While group brainstorming is often more effective at generating ideas than normal group problem solving, several <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.2420030402/abstract">studies</a> have shown that individual brainstorming produces more – and often better – ideas than group brainstorming.Individual brainstorming can produce better ideas because you're less likely to run into counter-productive behaviors.However, the best brainstorming takes advantage of both individual and group work.

Group or Individual Brainstorming?

<ul><li>Collect a diverse group with varied backgrounds, areas of expertise, and experience levels</li><li>Set up comfortable environment with all the tools, resources, and refreshments you may need</li><li>Present and define the problem</li><li>Give people time to come up with ideas individually (see previous tips for individual brainstorming), then share with the group (round-robin will give each person the best opportunity to contribute)</li><li>Guide the discussion to build on each idea, generating spinoff ideas</li><li>Take breaks as needed, and allow individuals to break away as they need</li></ul>

Tips on Group Brainstorming

Brainstorming helps you develop creative solutions to a problem, and is particularly useful when you need to break out of stale thinking patterns. Includes a video.

Tips on Individual Brainstorming

Similar ideas to Tips on Individual Brainstorming

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