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Brainstorming
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  How-To
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Resources:
The Memory Jogger™ II
The Six Sigma Memory Jogger™ II

Brainstorming

Tips
  • Write the idea down exactly as the team member states it. Write down the idea even if it's the same idea just expressed a little differently. The team can decide later if they want to combine the ideas into one or eliminate duplicates. This encourages everyone to participate.

  • Criticizing and evaluating ideas is not permitted. Members don't participate if they think their ideas will get "shot down."

  • Build on the ideas of others. Combine and improve the ideas generated.

  • Identify "off limit areas" before beginning a brainstorming session. For example, if the subject to be brainstormed is "Ways of Handling Overtime Staffing Requirements," an idea for changing collective bargaining agreement would most likely be off limits.

  • Go for quantity! The concept here being that the more ideas you generate, the better your chances of coming up with some really new and great ideas that will work.