TOOLS FOR CREATIVE THINKING: Method 635
Method 635, also called Brain-Writing, is a tool, which stimulates the generation of ideas. The name 635 means 6 persons note on separate sheets of paper 3 ideas Within 5 minutes As in Brainstorming, the participants should inspire each others thinking and creativity. Each participant sees the ideas of his/her colleagues and may thus be prompted to add own ideas or modify the ideas of colleagues. As the ideas are written down, a protocol of the session is automatically produced.
Procedure:
1. Problem Definition The Problem or Question to be tackled is defined and presented 2. Generation of Suggestion Each participants has 5 minutes to write 3 ideas in the upper row of his form 3. Exchange After 5 minutes the forms are exchanged in a clockwise direction 4. Picking Up Each Participants has now a form with the ideas of his/her colleagues and can add three new ideas (or variation of ideas of his predecessor) into the second row. 5. Step 3 and 4 are continued until each participant has written into each of the form 6. Evaluation The suggestion are analyzed and discussed. The suggestion which seem to be most promising can be marked. EXAMPLE : What could we do to ensure customer satisfaction ?? Participants : Joko, Suryadi, Kamto, Jun, Dani, Felix Joko Suryadi Kamto Jun Dani Felix Periodically visit Call more often On time delivery . . . Call after delivery Work 24 hours 1x24 hours quotation . . . Gift, souvenir DoD Competitive pricing . . .
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TOOLS FOR CREATIVE THINKING: BRAINSTORMING
Brainstorming is one of the oldest and well-known creativity tools. It was developed in the nineteenfourties by Alex Osborne, who tried to overcome a widespread negative attitude and killer phrases that often characterized meetings. Brainstorming encourages intuitive-creative thinking in groups and uses the ideas and the inspiring influence of the team members. If the rules of brainstorming are followed, mental blocks are prevented and the free flow of ideas is stimulated.
Procedure:
Preparation Preliminary definition of the problem Invitation of participants ideally there should be 5-7 participants Brainstorming Session The Moderator explain the ground rules Presentation of the problem and the challenge Start of Brainstorming If the flow of ideas is slowed down, the facilitator stimulates the generation of ideas by asking questions that point in new direction Every idea is visualized on a flip-chart or pin-board Evaluation Phase A list of all ideas is made and given to the participants often they have new ideas to add The ideas are structured and classified The ideas are evaluated, for example what can be implemented immediately? or immediate usefulness not apparent?
BRAINSORMING RULES
No Criticism Every critical assessment and evaluation of ideas is forbidden and postponed until the evaluation phase. The facilitator should stop the use of killer-phrases and killer-faces Quantity Quantity is more important than quality : as many ideas as possible however crazy the may seem should be collected. Free Flow Free flow of association and imagination causes the uninhibited production of ideas. Whatever comes to mind should be voiced. Every Idea is welcome No Copy right Ideas from other participants can be picked up and developed further by other group members Visualization No idea should get lost
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