You found our list of fun brainwriting examples and ideas.
Brainwriting is a type of brainstorming where participants write ideas instead of simply sharing them aloud. Brainwriting examples and ideas are methods for generating written ideas in a group. For example, you might use Silent Idea Rounds, Sticky Notes Sessions, or Digital Brainwriting. These techniques help boost creativity and teamwork while reducing the pressure to speak up on the spot. These exercises are also known as “brainwriting techniques” and “idea generation methods.”
These ideas are examples of virtual brainstorming activities, collaboration activities, and problem-solving games.
This list includes:
- brainwriting exercises
- brainwriting methods
- idea generation methods
- brainwriting techniques
- ideas for brainwriting in business
- creative brainwriting ideas
Let’s get to it!
List of brainwriting examples and ideas
From Silent Idea Rounds to SWOT Brainwriting, here is our list of helpful brainwriting exercises.
1. Silent Idea Rounds
Silent Idea Rounds involve participants writing down their ideas quietly on a topic before sharing them with the group. This method lets participants contribute without being influenced by others’ opinions.
Steps:
- Set a Timer: Specify a time limit (5 minutes) for participants to write their ideas silently.
- Collect Ideas: As soon as the timer goes off, collect all written ideas in a central location or digital platform.
- Sort Ideas: Categorize and organize the collected ideas into themes or groups to make reviewing them easier.
Silent Idea Rounds lead to a more thorough brainstorming session by valuing diverse viewpoints and promoting independent thinking before group discussion.
Pro tip: Though the activity is called “Silent Idea Rounds,” feel free to play motivating music in the background while your team scribbles.
2. Sticky Notes Session
In a sticky notes session, team members write their ideas on individual notes, then share and organize them.
This method boosts creativity, makes it easy to rearrange ideas, and resonates with visual learners. Sticky notes help teams gather different viewpoints and simplify complex ideas visually.
Using sticky notes encourages hands-on collaboration and improves communication, making generating and organizing ideas easier.
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3. 6-3-5 Brainwriting
6-3-5 Brainwriting is one of the most common brainwriting methods. In this collaborative technique, six individuals write down three ideas in five minutes and pass their sheets to the next person. This process continues until all participants contribute to each sheet.
The method encourages rapid idea generation and teamwork. 6-3-5 Brainwriting harnesses group creativity by quickly generating and expanding ideas in collaborative writing sessions.
Learn more about 6 3 5 brainwriting.
4. Time-Boxed Brainwriting
Time-boxed brainwriting is a structured method in which teammates generate ideas within a set time limit and then share them with the group.
The steps:
- Kick Off the Clock: Begin the countdown to ignite quick thinking and idea flow.
- Idea Sprint: Encourage participants to unleash as many ideas as possible before time runs out.
- Creative Clustering: Group the diverse ideas into clusters based on common themes.
- Spotlight and Select: Highlight standout ideas and discuss which ones shine the brightest for further development.
The time limit encourages fast thinking, prevents overthinking, and improves teamwork during brainstorming. Time-boxed brainwriting boosts brainstorming by making the most of everyone’s input within a set time and can be a great strategy for developing more agile teams.
5. Rapid Fire Rounds
“Rapid Fire Rounds” is a brainstorming method where participants quickly share ideas without stopping to judge them. This approach encourages creativity and generates many ideas in a short time.
The steps:
- Use Templates: Give participants a format for quickly writing ideas.
- Start the Timer: Begin the countdown for the round.
- Submit Ideas: Participants write and share their ideas quickly.
- Show Ideas: Display all ideas in real time on a central board.
- Review and Tag: Summarize and label key ideas for follow-up.
By keeping the pace fast and removing barriers to sharing, “Rapid Fire Rounds” help stimulate teamwork and overcome mental blocks.
You can also improve group dynamics by using rapid-fire questions.
6. Team Idea Marathon
In a team idea marathon, members constantly share ideas to find solutions for a specific challenge. This format helps creativity flow as participants build on each other’s thoughts.
The longer meeting allows for deeper thinking and encourages unique ideas that might not come up in shorter sessions. Marathons create a flexible space for solving complex problems together, ensuring the team has time to examine all perspectives and discuss ideas in depth.
Check out more team meeting ideas.
7. Sequential Brainwriting
Sequential brainwriting is a group method in which participants take turns building on each other’s ideas. This exercise is similar to games like telephone or exquisite corpse, only it focuses on ideas instead of messages or stories.
The steps:
- Set Time Limit: Allow a fixed time per idea round. Two or three minutes is optimal for simpler ideas.
- Pass Sheets: Have participants exchange sheets with others after the time is up.
- Build on Ideas: Participants read and add to the ideas on the new sheet.
- Review Results: Collect and discuss the final ideas generated through the process.
This method is a valuable tool for teamwork and collaboration. Spoken sessions limit the number of contributors, but adding notes on paper is a much quicker way to contribute, which also appeals to quieter team members. Sequential Brainwriting helps folks develop creative solutions by using everyone’s input in a structured way.
8. Mind Mapping
Mind mapping boosts creativity and problem-solving by visually showing how ideas connect. Mind maps offer a complete approach to tackling challenges when used with tools like SWOT analysis or design thinking.
The steps:
- Start with a Central Idea: Write the main topic in the center of the map.
- Add Main Branches: Create branches for key categories or themes related to the topic.
- Generate Sub-Ideas: Add sub-branches under each main branch with specific ideas or details.
- Connect Ideas: Draw lines to show relationships between different ideas and branches.
- Review and Expand: Evaluate the map and add any new ideas or connections that emerge.
Mind maps improve communication, critical thinking, and innovation. This technique is useful for unlocking creativity and enhancing idea generation in education, business, and collaborative projects.
9. Idea Affinity Groups
Specialized teams, known as “Idea Affinity Groups,” form within a larger group to concentrate on particular areas of interest or expertise. These groups bring together individuals with similar passions or skills to brainstorm, problem-solve, and innovate, utilizing diverse perspectives and knowledge to create creative solutions.
The steps:
- Gather Ideas: Collect all ideas from participants.
- Group by Similarity: Sort ideas into related categories.
- Discuss: Review and refine the ideas in each group.
- Prioritize and Share: Select the most important ideas from each group and discuss them in the larger group.
By organizing ideas into affinity groups, teams can effectively identify key themes and focus on developing the most promising solutions, leading to clearer strategies and more innovative outcomes.
10. Problem Tree Brainwriting
Problem Tree Brainwriting is one of the most helpful brainwriting techniques. This approach visualizes complex issues by breaking them into a structured tree diagram, helping teams identify root causes, effects, and potential solutions.
The steps:
- Sketch a Tree: Draw a tree with the trunk as the main problem and branches for different aspects.
- Write Ideas: Have individuals write solutions for each branch on sticky notes.
- Share and Expand: Share the sticky notes and discuss the ideas to build on them together.
This technique provides a structured way to solve problems while fostering diverse viewpoints and creative solutions to challenging issues.
11. Scenario-Based Writing
Writing based on scenarios is a way to boost creativity and problem-solving by imagining different situations.
The steps:
- Define Scenarios: Outline different scenarios or situations relevant to the topic.
- Assign Scenarios: Distribute scenarios to participants or allow them to choose.
- Generate Ideas: Have participants write ideas based on their assigned scenarios.
- Discuss and Synthesize: Discuss the ideas, combine insights, and refine solutions.
Exploring various work scenarios can spark new ideas and improve problem-solving. This method encourages thinking outside the box and helps overcome creative blocks. Scenario-based brainwriting is helpful in generating innovative solutions and promoting new approaches.
12. Brainwriting Idea Auction
Brainwriting Idea Auction is one of the most creative brainwriting ideas. This activity is a unique voting method for brainwriting that helps groups make decisions.
The steps:
- Write ideas on paper slips.
- Auction the slips to the group.
- Everyone bids on their favorite ideas.
Doing this activity as an anonymous “silent auction” helps team members be more honest about ideas. Folks can vote on their favorites unbiasedly without worrying about hurting specific team members’ feelings. This strategy can also help shyer or less confident team members share ideas with the group.
The bidding part also adds excitement and motivation and can be a great motivator, especially for competitive teams.
13. Constraint Brainwriting
Constraint Brainwriting is a method that boosts creativity by having a group work together within set boundaries, like time limits or specific themes. This style encourages participants to think creatively within these limits, leading to new ideas and solutions that might not come up in regular brainstorming sessions.
For example:
- Budget Cap: Limit ideas to fit within a specific price range.
- Resource Restrictions: Only use specified resources or tools.
- Target Audience: Focus ideas of a particular demographic or customer group.
- Geographic Limitations: Consider solutions applicable only to certain regions.
Constraint Brainwriting uses limits to inspire new ideas and creative thinking. Embracing these limitations allows teams to reach their full potential and find innovative solutions to complex problems.
14. Role-Play Brainwriting
Role-play brainwriting is a technique that uses role-playing during group brainstorming to boost creativity. Participants take on different roles related to the topic, which helps them see things from new perspectives and generate unique ideas.
Example roles:
- Customer
- Product Developer
- Marketing Specialist
- Sales Representative
- Investor
- Supplier
By fully immersing themselves in these roles, teammates can think more creatively and find innovative solutions to problems.
15. Tool Swap Brainwriting
Tool Swap is one of the most creative ideas for brainwriting in business. This innovative method encourages participants to share tools or techniques to generate new ideas. Each person starts with their tool and then passes the tool to a teammate after a set time, such as five minutes.
Examples of tools to swap:
- Idea Management Platforms
- Digital Sticky Note Apps
- Collaborative Text Editors
- Visualization Software
- Concept Mapping Tools
- Creative Brief Templates
This method encourages teammates to consider new ideas and new ways of working, which can improve productivity and workflows.
16. Pin Card Method
The Pin Card Method is a brainstorming technique in which participants write their ideas on separate cards and pin them to a board for all participants to see and discuss. This method ensures that the group hears and considers all team members’ ideas equally. By displaying the cards on a board, it’s easier to see patterns and connections between ideas. The Pin Card Method encourages teamwork and provides an organized way to generate ideas in a group.
17. SWOT Brainwriting
SWOT Brainwriting is one of the most helpful idea generation methods. combines SWOT analysis with brainstorming to generate ideas as a group.
Participants list Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to a topic and then share them individually, building on each other’s insights. SWOT Brainwriting encourages a thorough look at all aspects, helping to create well-rounded solutions considering internal and external factors.
Here are more SWOT Analysis activities.
18. Digital Brainwriting
Digital Brainwriting is a team brainstorming method using online tools. This technique allows team members to instantly share and work on ideas, no matter where they are.
Here are tools you can use:
- Miro
- Jamboard
- Trello
- Mural
- Stormboard
- Conceptboard
Features like chat and voting make collaboration easy and ensure all teammates can participate equally. This technique helps teams combine ideas, leading to more creative and effective solutions.
Check out more online collaboration tools.
Final Thoughts
Exploring different brainwriting examples and ideas can greatly improve creativity and efficiency in team settings. These methods encourage all team members to participate. By using these various techniques, teams can discover unique solutions and create an environment encouraging innovation. These strategies improve problem-solving and strengthen teamwork.
Next, check out our posts on office bulletin board ideas, virtual team building activities, improv prompts, free virtual team building activities, and zoom games.
