Negative Brainstorming Add/remove

Purpose:

The purpose of this method is to ideate upon the overall problem and generate a lot of ideas to further develop. This brainstorming technique takes the participant through different stages that enhances the creativity.

Step by step Facilitating tips Materials needed Goes well with Download template (pdf)

Tips to include participants who are not able to:

See

If participants are unable to see, make sure to have a partner to spar with that can do the writing. This could be a helper, documenter, facilitator or other group members. The participants should though still explain their own ideas to not feel excluded.

verbally let the participant with the limited sight know what ideas the other participants are writing down, as well as how the template is forming.

Move

If participants are unable to move, pair up with another group member to spar with that can place the post-its. If a helper, documenter or facilitator is available, getting help from these is also an option.

Hold

If participants are unable to hold, pair up with another group member to spar with that can place the post-its. If a helper, documenter or facilitator is available, getting help from these is also an option.

Think

If participants have a hard time grasping the task, pairing up might be beneficial to let participants help each other understand and succeed in negative brainstorming.

Speak

If participants are unable to speak, sign language or other symbol language could be used if an interpreter is present. If not, the steps can be done in writing form. Make sure all ideas have a written explanation.

Drawing ones ideas to further enhance communication is also possible.

Hear

If participants are unable to hear, sign language or other symbol language could be used if an interpreter is present. If not, the steps can be done in writing form. Make sure all ideas have a written explanation.

Drawing ideas from brainstorming to further enhance communication is also possible.

Focus

If the ability to focus is limited because of time crunch, shorten down the time spent on brainstorming. If the ability is limited because of distractions, make sure facilitators keep a calm and attentive attitude, and prolong time for brainstorming.

Belong

If some participant are not comfortable in their groups, try and switch up the groups. If a participant is uncomfortable it might hinder their creativity.

Touch

If participants are unable to hold, pair up with another group member to spar with that can place the post-its. If a helper, documenter or facilitator is available, getting help from these is also an option.

Overview

Input

A problem to explore

Output

Multiple ideas for how to accommodate the problem

Complexity

Moderate

Time

25-35 min

Participants

2-15

Activity

Core abilities:

  • Think in a somewhat complex matter where ideas a flipped around
  • Reading/writing
  • Communicating with a partner

Step by step:

  1. Divide the participants in pairs of 2 or 3 and hand out post-its, templates and pens.

  2. Explain the method by showing an example that has a problem not related to the scope of the workshop.

  3. Provide the participants with the overall problem and make sure they understand it.

  4. Make the participants reformulate the problem statement into a negative problem statement.

  5. Ask the groups to brainstorm individually on negative ideas for the negative problem statement. The ideas should be written/drawn on post-its. One post-it per idea.

  6. Ask the participants to describe the negative ideas to the rest of the group.

  7. In pairs: Each pair selects one bad idea and considers the following:

    • What makes this a bad idea? Which elements make it bad?
    • Which elements make it a good idea? (Try to identify some good elements, there are always some to be found in the bad ideas)
    • Turn the bad idea into a good idea.

  8. Each group present their ideas.

When doing this method you should consider:

The time range may differ depending on the type of participants. If the participants are cognitive challenged more time would be needed.

Engage with the participants if you see that a group is not as productive.

Engage the participants by saying “Oh that is so funny or a good idea”. This shows your participants that they are doing good.

Negative ideas are not necessarily bad ideas. The idea is to challenge the participants into thinking in a different way. Oftentimes, reversing the ideas can have a positive impact on the participants level of creativity.

Materials needed:

  • A template for each group
    Pens
    Post its
    Timer