6.1. TOOLS FOR GENERATING IDEAS AND ORGANIZING INFORMATION

6.1.1. Brainstorming

Many Six Sigma methods have brainstorming, or idea generation, as a starting point. The basic purpose of brainstorming is to come up with a list of options for a task or a solution—usually a longer list that is shortened into a final choice. For example, a team may brainstorm which customers to interview or what questions to ask. Later, the team may use brainstorming again to list possible measures and still later to come up with creative improvement solutions.

A problem with brainstorming is that everybody thinks they are good at it. In fact, it takes work and discipline to be truly creative.