Idea generation

What is it?

A creative way to generate multiple options before deciding on a solution.

Why do it?

By generating multiple options, you’ve a better chance of hitting on the right one.

When to do it?

It’s typically done during the early stages of the process, but you can use this approach whenever there’s a design challenge.

How to do it?

There are hundreds of different techniques to help you unleash your creative thinking. Grab a group of people and warm up the session with an icebreaker to get everyone talking and brains ticking. Stress that the point is quantity not quality, and not to be constrained by what you know.

Here are some to get started:

• Brainstorm: Get everyone to think of ideas to solve the design challenge and write each new idea on a sticky note. Get participants to build on each other’s ideas until everyone has run out of ideas.