Idea generation techniques
Why this matters
Coming up with new ideas can feel daunting, especially when you're stuck on a project or trying to solve a problem. Learning specific techniques helps you systematically generate a wealth of possibilities, ensuring you explore many avenues before settling on the best solution for your school assignments or personal challenges.
7-day study plan
- Read
Brainstorming is the most popular technique for generating a large volume of ideas in a short time. Developed by Alex Osborn, it is built on the principle that the best way to get a good idea is to have many ideas. For students, the biggest hurdle is often the internal critic that tells you an idea is too expensive or silly before you even write it down. To brainstorm effectively, you must follow four ground rules: defer judgment, encourage wild ideas, build on the ideas of others, and aim for quantity over quality. Imagine you are trying to make homework less boring. Instead of thinking about why an idea won't work, just list everything. Maybe you do homework while listening to a specific genre of music, or you gamify your chapters by awarding yourself points for every page finished. Perhaps you study in a different location every hour. In this phase, there are no 'bad' ideas. Even a wild idea like 'doing homework while skydiving' could spark a realistic thought about changing your physical environment to boost focus. To practice this, set a timer for 15 minutes. Use a blank sheet of paper and write your problem statement at the top. Write down every single thought that comes to mind, no matter how small or strange. The goal is to keep your pen moving. Don't stop to evaluate; just keep flowing. By the end of the session, you should have a list of at least 20 to 30 different possibilities to look through later.
DoUnderstand the rules of traditional brainstorming (defer judgment, wild ideas welcome, quantity over quality). Pick a small problem (e.g., 'How to make homework less boring?') and brainstorm ideas for 15 minutes.
Check yourself- Why is quantity more important than quality during the initial brainstorming phase?
- What are the four ground rules of traditional brainstorming?
- How does 'deferring judgment' help in generating more creative solutions?
Revision notes
- Brainstorming focuses on generating many ideas without judgment.
- Mind mapping visually organizes ideas, showing connections and hierarchy.
- The SCAMPER technique uses prompts to modify existing ideas or objects.
- Random word association helps break mental blocks and find unusual connections.
- Quantity over quality is crucial in the initial idea generation phase.
- No idea is 'bad' during brainstorming; wild ideas can spark brilliant ones.
- Combining different ideas often leads to innovative solutions.
- Visuals and physical movement can also aid idea generation.
Global case studies
Post-it Notes: A 'Failed' Glue and Brainstorming Aid
In 1968, Spencer Silver at 3M developed a 'low-tack' adhesive that wasn't strong enough for its intended use. Years later, Art Fry, frustrated with bookmarks falling out of his hymn book, remembered Silver's adhesive and applied it to paper, creating Post-it Notes. This shows how combining a 'failed' idea with a new problem led to innovation.
Takeaway: Sometimes, a 'failed' invention or unused idea can be the perfect solution for a different problem, fostering new creations.
Design Thinking at GE Healthcare
Doug Dietz, a designer at GE, realized children were terrified of the MRI machines he designed. Using observation and brainstorming techniques, he redesigned the MRI suite into an adventure experience (e.g., a pirate ship). This transformation reduced the need for sedation by 90% for children.
Takeaway: Empathy and creative problem-solving can transform a scary experience into a positive one, significantly improving user experience.
Try this week
Pick a complex subject you are studying for your board exams (e.g., a chapter in Science or Social Studies). Create a detailed mind map to organize the information, including key concepts, definitions, and connections between topics.
Chapter test
One combined MCQ test for all 10 lessons in this chapter. 1 mark per question, no negative marking. Score 60% or more to unlock your certificate.
Chapter test