My favorite method of brainstorming!.
The definition of brainstorming given by Managing Organizations is "a technique for simulating creativity by using a rigorous set of rules that promote the generation of ideas while avoiding the inhibitions that many people feel in group settings. (Duening and Ivancevich, pg. 173) Brainstorming is a technique taught at an early age and is used all throughout life. There are many situations where you should brainstorm before you begin, such as projects, starting a business, building a house or even planning your wedding. Many techniques are used when brainstorming. Webbing/diagramming, graphing or even just writing down your thoughts before you start are ways of brainstorming. Among students, the webbing technique is probably the most popular. It's easy and organized. "Work from a central idea, concept, topic or question, gathering and linking thoughts in text and/or pictures. Expand thoughts from the center like branches on a web. Weave the web. When one branch stops or an idea doesn't fit create a new branch." (The Washington Post).
Graphing out your already researched information is another organized and helpful way to brainstorm. For some people, just writing down their ideas is most helpful. Some people are more visual learners than others. .
Brainstorming brings out the creativity in people. The surroundings that you are in help you to think well and if you are thinking to the best of your ability, your work will be top quality. If a group is in a room that is noisy and full of people that are working on separate projects, distractions will occur. If they are in a conference room and everyone is working on the same project, things will work out better. "What is the difference between an office conference room and a hotel conference room? If the room is sterile, it is hard to be creative." (The Business Journal of Jacksonville, pg.97) No idea is a bad idea and cannot be criticized.
