Ideation · intermediate · 30 min

Brainwriting (6-3-5 Method)

Brainwriting is a silent brainstorming technique that encourages all participants to contribute ideas without being influenced by others. It involves writing down ideas on a piece of paper and passing it to the next person, who builds upon those ideas.

What participants gain

  • Generate a wide range of ideas in a silent and collaborative environment.
  • Build upon the ideas of others to create new solutions.
  • Improve creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Encourage equal participation from all team members.

Materials needed

  • Paper (one sheet per participant)
  • Pens or pencils
  • Timer
  • Central topic or problem statement

How to run Brainwriting (6-3-5 Method), step by step

  1. Divide participants into groups of six.
  2. Give each participant a sheet of paper and a pen or pencil.
  3. Write the central topic or problem statement on the whiteboard.
  4. Instruct participants to write down three ideas related to the topic on their paper within 5 minutes.
  5. After 5 minutes, have participants pass their paper to the person on their right.
  6. Instruct participants to read the ideas on the paper they receive and add three new ideas that build upon or are inspired by the existing ideas.
  7. Repeat the process for a total of five rounds, with each participant adding three new ideas each time.
  8. Collect all the papers and discuss the ideas generated as a group.

Facilitator tips

  • Clearly explain the process and the time limit for each round.
  • Encourage participants to build upon the ideas of others.
  • Ensure everyone has a chance to contribute to each paper.

Common challenges

  • Participants struggle to build on existing ideas - Provide examples of how to build on ideas and encourage creative thinking.
  • Ideas become repetitive - Encourage participants to try different approaches and think outside the box.
  • Team gets stuck - Review previous ideas and encourage new ideas

Running it virtually

Use a shared document or spreadsheet where each participant has a column. Participants write their ideas in the first row and then build upon the ideas in the subsequent rows.

Expected results

A large collection of diverse ideas generated in a silent and collaborative manner. Identification of innovative solutions and potential opportunities.

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