Conducting a brainstorm template

Great brainstorming sessions set the stage for fresh ideas and generative thinking through simple guidelines and an open, collaborative environment.

Use this template when you're just kicking off a new project and want to hit the ground running with big ideas that will move your team forward.

The brainstorming template helps you:

• Quickly generate a lot of ideas to solve a problem

• Improve team collaboration, leading to innovative and creative solutions

• Encourage creative thinking and helps team members think outside the box

• Foster a sense of ownership with the team over the final solution

How to use this template to run a brainstorm

In this section detail each step of the process in using the Mural template. These steps may be taken directly from the template itself.

Step 1: Prepare for the brainstorming activity

Create 5 “How might we” statements before the activity to propose to the team. These questions help to clarify the big picture and focus the ideation process on the specific topic the team is trying to solve.

Step 2: Start brainstorming individually

Have each participant begin in the “solo brainstorm space” by silently brainstorming ideas and placing them into the template canvas.

This “silent-storming” avoids group-think and creates an inclusive environment for introverts and extroverts alike. Set a time limit and encourage team members to go for quantity.

Step 3: Come together to brainstorm as a group

Have everyone move their ideas in to the “group sharing space” and read through them. As a team, discuss and sort the ideas by thematic topics or similarities.

Discuss and answer any questions that arise. Encourage “Yes, and…” to build on the ideas of the other team members along the way.

Step 4: Decide on the strongest ideas with a vote.

Give each team member two votes to decide on the best idea. You can either give participants two “thumbs-up” icons, or conduct a vote with Mural’s voting feature.

Step 5: Define next steps and action items

Now that you have some great ideas to act upon, define what the next steps should be for proposing your solution to stakeholders and moving forward with your idea.

Tips for effective brainstorming

Brainstorming is a powerful tool for generating new ideas and problem-solving, but not all brainstorming sessions are equally effective. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your brainstorming sessions:

• Set some ground rules for the brainstorming session to establish expectations among the team and let the session run smoothly

• Encourage participants to share their different perspectives, experiences, and ideas

• Assign one team member or invite an impartial facilitator to help guide the brainstorming session along and keep track of the time

• Use Mural’s voting feature to anonymously choose the best ideas to prioritize