The Project Management Tool Kit: 100 Tips and Techniques for Getting the Job Done Right

Generate Ideas

Begin the process by providing paper or yellow sticky notes to the team members and encouraging them to write down as many ideas as they are able on their own, in silence. Capture each idea on a separate piece of paper. Minimize distractions, and request that people who finish first remain quiet while others continue to work.

When everyone is done, ask each person to read one of his or her ideas aloud and post each idea where it is visible to the group. When you have heard from everyone, continue until you have accumulated all the ideas in a single list. Include any new ideas that people generate while listening to other’s submissions.

When gathering the ideas, allow no discussions, criticism, or questions. Focus on collecting ...