How to run a brainstorming session 

Brainstorms are a great way to get many ideas on the table quickly and effectively – so long as they’re managed properly. This guide will help you run your own brainstorming session (either individually or in a group) and learn how to avoid common pitfalls. 

What you’ll need: 

• 30-90 minutes. 
• Pens, notebook, laptop, or your preferred visual notetaking method. 

Steps: 

Have the rules of brainstorming available for all participants to see. 

During your brainstorming session, you should defer judgement (i.e., don’t make decisions yet!), build on top of ideas, and ensure you are only having one conversation at a time if you’re in a group. Having these rules visible makes sure that everyone is on the same page. If working in a group, nominate a facilitator to ensure these rules are followed. 

Nominate a scribe. 

If you’re working in a group, nominate someone who writes down all the ideas and builds the connections. The scribe can also be the facilitator, ensuring everyone sticks to the rules and stays on topic. If you’re the scribe, make sure to check in with participants to ensure you’re recording their ideas correctly. If you’re a participant, make sure you give the scribe time to gather and collect all thoughts (this is why it’s essential to only have one conversation at a time!) 

Place the question you want to understand and ideate on in the centre. 

Having your goal at the centre ensures everyone stays focussed on the topic. This will depend on your notetaking method, whether you want to use flipchart paper, a whiteboard, or an online tool such as Miro, Mural, or MindMup. 

Braindump first. 

A brain dump is when you get all the ideas in your head down onto paper before you even begin collaborating. Get your thoughts down on sticky notes or paper and be ready to bring them to the table after the brain dump is over. A good brain dump should usually be between 5-10 minutes. 

‘Yes, and.’ 

It’s now time to build on top of each other’s ideas. Remember, we’re not deciding which ideas are better than others – this is all about getting ideas out in the open and exploring all possibilities. You’re striving for quantity over quality. If you start deciding which ideas to take forward, your brainstorming will quickly stagnate. 

Take Breaks. 

Feel free to take a 5-10 minute comfort break if you feel that ideas are getting saturated. It is always good advice to step out of the room that you’re working in and go somewhere else. This applies even if you’re working individually. 

Wrap up and store findings. 

At the end of the brainstorming session, make sure that you store all your findings in a secure place. If you’ve been using sticky notes or flipchart paper, it is recommended to have a digital version of these resources to ensure that no information is lost. 

Further Support 

For more information on developing your entrepreneurial skills or launching your business idea, book a 1:1 here.