How Brainstorming Can Help You Solve Problems
Brainstorming is one of the most creative ways of solving problems. However, brainstorming may not always be used to solve a single problem. It is sometimes used to come up with a list of possible solutions that can be used to solve a problem.
The concept of brainstorming is one of the newest problem solving methods, and was first mentioned by Alex F. Osborn in 1953. Today, brainstorming is commonly used for advertising, the development of new products, process management, and business planning. It is an important tool that you will need to master if you want to be good at solving problems.
Brainstorming is a technique that can be done alone or in a group. When it is done in groups, individuals will be expected to come up with ideas for a particular problem and share it with other members. Some organized groups that get together for brainstorming are known as "think tanks," and are used by governments, the military, and large corporations. Any ideas that a person comes up with should immediately be shared with the group. Generally, one person will bring everyone together, and they may be called the leader or chairman. When a person brainstorms alone, they will basically do the same thing, but they will want to write down their ideas on a piece of paper.
To be successful at brainstorming, you must not be interrupted when you brainstorm ideas. Because of this, you will want to make sure you’re in a quiet place that is not filled with any distractions. As you begin to think of ideas, this should create a domino effect which will allow you to come up with more ideas. When you brainstorm, it is important turn off the television, radio, or cell phone. You cannot let anything distract you. To use brainstorming to successfully solve problems, there are four techniques you will want to use. The first thing you will want to do is place an emphasis on quantity.
Placing an emphasis on quantity will allow you to come up with larger number of ideas. A larger number of ideas will typically lead to a large number of high quality solutions. After you’ve come up with a number of solutions to a problem, you can come back to the problem at any time to repeat the process. There is no limit to how many times this can be done, and doing it will allow you to compare your solutions of the past with those of the present. The second technique of brainstorming is to do it in a way where there is no criticism. Criticism can kill a great idea and destroy a potential solution to a problem.
If you are brainstorming alone, you will want to stop yourself from being critical of any of your ideas, and if you are in a group, no one should be allowed to be critical of anyone else during the brainstorming process. The criticism should only be allowed after the brainstorming process is complete. When this is done, you create an environment where all the initial ideas are accepted. Once the ideas have been formulated, the group can decide which is the best. If you are alone, you will need to look at the pros and cons of any ideas you come up with. The idea with the least amount of disadvantages is the one you will want to use.
The third technique is to accept any ideas which may sound irrational at first. No matter how strange an idea may sound, include it in your list of possible solutions to a problem. If the idea is too strange, you may need to tone it down a bit. However, the strange idea that may sound like it won’t work may be the solution you’re looking for. The fourth technique you will want to use is called the combination of ideas. Sometimes, taking two ideas and putting them together can allow you to come up with a powerful solution to a problem. This system may also be known as association. If you find that brainstorming isn’t helping you, this means you are doing something wrong. The two most common mistakes made by people who attempt to brainstorm are using incorrect methods and having expectations that are too high.
