Structured Brainstorm

Many ideas, built in rounds

  • PhaseIdeate
  • Group4 to 12 people
  • Time30 minutes
  • SettingRoom or remote
  • ExecutivesYes

What it is

A structured brainstorm generates ideas in rounds with simple rules: first any idea, then build on the ideas on the wall, then wild ideas. A parking lot holds anything that matters but does not belong in the round.

When to use it

After Frame, once the group has an agreed question or problem statement and needs a large pool of ideas to choose from.

When to skip it

When there is no agreed question, or when one senior voice will set the answer before others speak. Start with silent writing instead.

How to run it

  1. 5 minRead the question aloud. Agree three rules: defer judgement, build on others, aim for quantity.
  2. 5 minEveryone writes ideas alone, one per note.
  3. 15 minGo round the group. Each person reads one idea; others build with “yes, and”. The scribe posts every idea.
  4. 5 minOne last round for the wildest idea in the room.

About 30 minutes of method time. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.

What to watch for

Judging ideas while they are being made. The loudest voice setting the direction. Stopping at the first obvious ideas.

The AI lens

Run one round where no technology is allowed, and one where AI is allowed. Ask for ideas that change the process, not only ones that add AI to it.

What you leave with

A pool of ideas, aiming for thirty or more, each on its own note.

An example

Working on 'How might we help a customer get a clear answer in the first reply?', the first round deliberately avoids mentioning technology, so the group does not jump straight to a chatbot.

How it compares

A Structured Brainstorm builds a large pool of ideas as a group. Crazy 8s is a faster, individual sketching round.

Related methods

Write, Pair, ShareEvery voice on paper before the discussion startsCrazy 8sEight quick ideas in eight minutesIdea CardOne idea written up on one page

Questions

What is Structured Brainstorm?

A structured brainstorm generates ideas in rounds with simple rules: first any idea, then build on the ideas on the wall, then wild ideas. A parking lot holds anything that matters but does not belong in the round.

When should I use Structured Brainstorm?

After Frame, once the group has an agreed question or problem statement and needs a large pool of ideas to choose from.

How long does Structured Brainstorm take and how many people do I need?

Structured Brainstorm takes about 30 minutes and suits 4 to 12 people, plus a facilitator. Add ten to fifteen minutes to open and close the session.

How is Structured Brainstorm different from other methods?

A Structured Brainstorm builds a large pool of ideas as a group. Crazy 8s is a faster, individual sketching round.

Can I run Structured Brainstorm remotely or with executives?

Yes. Structured Brainstorm works in the room or remotely. Remotely, put the canvas on a shared board in advance and write silently in the board, not in chat. Executives: Yes, works with executives present.

More Ideate methods

Crazy 8s →