Brainstorming

Powerful tool for design teams Used to generate ideas in a group Can be used on any sub-problem It is best after knowing the main design requirements

Ground Rules
Relax Have fun Laugh Support

Ground Rules
No boundaries Completely free your mind No limits on the number of ideas Fragmented ideas OK Just keywords OK

Ground Rules
No criticizing (during or after) No evaluating or dismissing No dismissing EVEN BY YOU YOURSELF No You must be joking looks or comments

Ground Rules
Explain quickly (few seconds) No questions Let ideas you dont understand go Speed is the key Important is Association not Viability

Ground Rules
Avoid subtle evaluations
How is it going to do Isn't this violating the rules That is an excellent idea How is this different than that idea

Ground Rules
Select a moderator No dominating No interrupting No passing

Ground Rules
Short session (20 minutes) Create ideas in silence Multiple rounds

Idea Trigger Method

Phase I: Idea Purge Phase
The objective is declared. Many ideas written rapidly on sheet of paper. There is a relaxation break after two minutes. The process continues for another minute.

Idea Trigger Method

Phase II: Idea Trigger Phase
Leader calls each member for their ideas. Team members cross out shared ideas. Each idea as read may trigger other ideas in other members who write them down quickly on a second page. After the first round, the members repeat the reading process for the second sheet and more until no new ideas are triggered.

Idea Trigger Method

Phase III: Compilation

Members compile and classify ideas into a master list and distribute it.

Afterwards
Work alone to create more ideas. Meet and selects promising ideas. Promising ideas are developed in more detail listing pros and cons.

Idea Selection
Team meets and selects one design to be engineered.
Team members identify critical subsystems and hold brainstorming sessions on such sub-systems.