Getting to Innovation

NINE

A Crash Course in Generating CreativeIdeas: Group Methods

In general, a group of people will produce more ideas than a single individual. Thus, you should consider using group methods whenever possible. Group methods are indicated when the problem is important, you have sufficient time, and the participation of individuals is needed to increase acceptance of solutions and problem ownership.

Of the group techniques described in this chapter, four also can be used by individuals: the KJ method, picture stimulation, semantic intuition, and object stimulation. However, this flexibility does not necessarily mean they will produce better ideas. The real measure of an idea generation technique is the creative capacity of the people who use it. ...