Effective Brainstorming Techniques for Different Types of Teams for 2025

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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Bringing forth ideas is a challenging task and people use a plethora of schemes in this process. One known practice for enhancing creativity during this process is telling people what others think about a topic. This instance results in people gathering to brainstorm (Mackeprang et al., 2020).

Presently, however, brainstorming sometimes works differently. Disagreements among members are inevitable, others do not contribute at all, important notes end up being forgotten in email threads, and so on. These are but some of the reasons why these sessions appear to be a waste of time, energy, and effort.

Brainstorming is the gateway to project completion. Hence, keeping it productive and effective at the same time is the key to having a good session (Hansen, 2018). This article delves into effective brainstorm techniques and the various types of brainstorming.

Techniques for Effective Brainstorming Table of Contents

1. What is brainstorming?
2. The Benefits of Brainstorming
3. How Can Digital Expertise Influence Brainstorming Outcomes?
4. How Can Continuous Learning Fuel Brainstorming Success?
5. Techniques for Effective Brainstorming
6. Can Accelerated Education Enhance Creative Brainstorming?
7. How Can Effective Facilitation Enhance Brainstorming Outcomes?
8. Evaluating and Refining Brainstorming Outcomes
9. Can Brainstorming Unlock Career Advancement Opportunities?
10. How Can You Quantify the Impact of Brainstorming Sessions?
11. How Does Formal Education Enhance Brainstorming Outcomes?

What is brainstorming?

To provide a short brainstorming meaning, it specifically refers to an activity where a group of people gathers, exchanges ideas, and looks for positive outcomes. At the end of the session, they must be able to determine new networks and organizations and come up with something original and interesting.

The effectiveness of group brainstorming techniques is dependent on how a diverse group of people interacts with each other (Prominski et al., 2020).

A Novel Approach to Brainstorming Fit for Our Times

Are the result of a team’s analysis of concepts and construction of original insights better than those produced by a lone individual? Yes, but the uncertainty lies in garnering the same outcome from brainstorming, considering that other people prefer to work by themselves in a quiet environment. Can this approach be also explained by science?

Prominski and Tan (2020) posit in their article “Quiet Brainstorming: Expecting the Unexpected," which was published on Science Direct, that “it is possible for an individual to replicate team brainstorming by using three critical ‘‘E’’ processes: (1) extract unexpected, diverse, and reliable information; (2) expose unusual but logically sound connections; and (3) evaluate the new possibilities that evolve from the connections. For (3), the new possibilities can and should involve the latest techniques and scientific advances. They could include a shortcut that connects the terminals of the connections or similar connections but with the altered direction of the logic flow. The most critical portion of generating new ideas—asking an original question—is usually not part of solving the problem. The extract and expose processes could help us reveal these types of questions, whereas the evaluation process helps formulate the initial hypothesis for later experimentation.“

The Benefits of Brainstorming

Drexel University Marketing and Digital Strategy Executive Director Joe Master reiterates that brainstorming is more about solving a problem than waiting for new ideas. He asserts that great brainstorming sessions are those that end with a bit of compromise on one’s pride and aim to be right. Your idea may always seem the best for you, but when others’ ideas come pouring in, that is when your idea is repositioned and transformed into more compelling ones. For him, that is the very essence of brainstorming. (Drexel University, 2018).

Meanwhile, Kristen Price’s article “The Importance of Brainstorming" narrows the benefits of brainstorming down to:

• Promoting critical thinking, because brainstorming aims to solve problems
• Being open-minded, because brainstorming enables people to listen to and explore ideas from others
• Creating a strong bond among teams, because brainstorming provides everyone with a collaborative experience

How Can Digital Expertise Influence Brainstorming Outcomes?

Integrating digital expertise into brainstorming sessions can unlock innovative pathways by combining creative ideation with data-driven insights. Professionals with advanced digital skills bring a unique perspective, enabling teams to assess ideas using analytical tools and trend analysis. This interdisciplinary approach not only sparks originality but also aligns concepts with current market dynamics, ensuring that solutions are both inventive and strategically viable. Harnessing such expertise, which can be further enhanced by pursuing a digital marketing online degree, supports the creation of actionable strategies that reflect today’s digital landscape.

How Can Continuous Learning Fuel Brainstorming Success?

Fostering an environment that emphasizes ongoing skill development can significantly enhance brainstorming outcomes. Structured learning initiatives empower team members to sharpen critical thinking, master emerging tools, and adopt innovative problem-solving frameworks. Incorporating targeted educational programs—such as pursuing an easiest associate's degree—can stimulate fresh perspectives and drive creative breakthroughs. By investing in continuous professional development, organizations nurture a proactive mindset that transforms ideas into strategically actionable solutions.

Techniques for Effective Brainstorming

Brainwriting

What are the types of brainstorming? First, we have brainwriting. Here, the group leader discusses the concern with the team, after which the members write their insights.

This technique helps dissociate idea generation from the discussion. It eradicates the anchoring bias and lets everyone discuss their ideas. It also gives more time to ponder on such ideas. It works for teams who are more likely to favor the first few ideas to emerge.

Brainstorming on one’s own, without distraction and public judgment, fosters fresh ideas that may not be thought of in a bigger environment (Hansen, 2018).

Figuring Storming

This list of types of brainstorming techniques also features figuring storming. It allows you to picture how someone may manage a certain situation. If everyone in the team can put themselves in others’ shoes, they could have a new viewpoint on specific matters and think of other possibilities.

This brainstorming project management technique is best for teams who have the same insights for recurring tasks.

Brain-netting

Remote work arrangements have become more common due to the COVID-19 pandemic that struck the world in 2020. This new norm brought about virtual meetings and virtual work activities. In cases when the need to perform brainstorming activities for teams, making a focal online location where the team can work together is necessary. Suggestions would be hard to keep track of in an email; thus cloud-based file storage, virtual whiteboarding materials, or online collaboration application are the best options when it comes to working remotely and teams brainstorming.

There are also a wide variety of brainstorming tools available online.

Fast Ideation

One of the most effective brainstorming types is fast ideation. In this technique, the team leader gives the context, relevant information, and questions ahead of time. A deadline is set for members to put their ideas into writing.

Fast ideation helps members to think of ideas deeply and without time limitations. It can also be personalized to fulfill the needs of the team or task. Pen and paper, whiteboards, and other materials can be used. The deadline can be around 5 to 45 minutes. It is best for teams who normally get behind deadlines or those who are not good with meetings.

Round Robin Brainstorming

To conduct a round robin brainstorming, a team must be in a circle. The team leader goes around and asks each member to give an idea. At the same time, someone should document all the suggestions as they will be discussed afterward.

Round robin brainstorming is best for teams that have some members who stay quiet during meetings.

Starbursting

Starbursting centers on asking questions instead of looking for answers. This technique forces teams to ask as many questions as they can about the subject.

Perform this by starting the session with WH questions as this approach can guarantee that all angles of the task will be tackled. It is best for teams who have a habit of missing out on particular facets of a task and hurrying to finish the job.

Stepladder Technique

The team leader mentions what the topic is or asks a related question. Then, the team leaves, except for two members who will elaborate on the topic and their feedback. Next, one more member will join them to add more ideas before hearing what his or her co-members say. This cycle goes on until the entire group is back in the room.

Introduced in 1992, the stepladder technique persuades members to participate on their own before being persuaded by others. It stops members from influencing or feeling overpowered by others’ ideas. This is one of the best team brainstorming techniques for groups with 5 to 15 members.

Can Accelerated Education Enhance Creative Brainstorming?

Accelerated education programs instill rapid problem-solving skills and adaptive thinking—qualities that are essential for dynamic brainstorming sessions. By condensing learning timelines while maintaining rigorous academic standards, professionals acquire the ability to quickly analyze and apply new information in creative contexts. Such expedited educational frameworks promote efficiency, fostering an environment where innovative ideas are generated in parallel with continuous skill enhancement. Moreover, streamlined certification paths, like the fastest way to get an associate's degree, underscore how focused, accelerated learning can contribute to sharper critical thinking and more effective team ideation.

How Can Effective Facilitation Enhance Brainstorming Outcomes?

A competent facilitator optimizes brainstorming sessions by ensuring balanced participation, mitigating dominant voices, and applying structured methodologies that stimulate diverse thinking. Leveraging impartial moderation, these professionals guide discussions to maintain focus and prevent groupthink, enabling the team to surface innovative ideas without bias. Integrating post-session feedback loops further refines the ideation process, transforming raw input into actionable strategies. For professionals seeking to enhance their facilitation skills, pursuing a 6 months degree course can provide the expertise needed for effective session leadership.

Evaluating and Refining Brainstorming Outcomes

Turning brainstorming sessions into actionable results requires careful evaluation and refinement of ideas. This process ensures that the most viable solutions are prioritized for implementation. Here are five strategies to streamline this phase:

• Group Similar Ideas Together: Categorize ideas based on themes or goals. Use clustering techniques like affinity mapping to visually organize concepts and identify overarching patterns.
• Evaluate Feasibility and Impact: Assess each idea's practicality and potential impact. Use a simple matrix to classify ideas by feasibility (easy to complex) and impact (low to high). Focus on solutions that balance high impact with ease of implementation.
• Incorporate Team Feedback: Encourage all participants to vote or rate ideas anonymously. This method ensures equal participation and helps highlight the most popular or promising options without bias.
• Align Ideas with Objectives: Compare brainstormed ideas against the project or organizational goals. Prioritize those directly contributing to achieving these objectives while discarding or revising ideas that don't align.
• Refine and Prototype Selected Ideas: Develop chosen ideas into prototypes or detailed plans. Use iterative feedback loops to refine them further, ensuring they are practical, creative, and aligned with team insights.

What Makes Brainstorming Instrumental in Business Processes

Brainstorming provides businesses with opportunities to include everyone in developing and innovating their processes. As a result, others’ interests and expectations are considered, further driving motivation, collaboration, and engagement among the management, employees, and even clients (Kosonen, 2014). And this is what makes brainstorming extremely instrumental: it resolves problems with the help of teamwork, unrestrained and uninhibited information, and a vast range of perspectives.

Can Brainstorming Unlock Career Advancement Opportunities?

Effective brainstorming not only drives innovation within team projects but also cultivates transferable skills that can enhance professional growth. Participants develop critical thinking, effective communication, and collaborative problem-solving capabilities that are valued across various industries. These skills contribute to individual career progression by equipping professionals to approach challenges with creativity and strategic insight. Moreover, individuals who actively engage in structured brainstorming sessions may find alternative career pathways where formal education is not the only route to success, as evidenced by opportunities in entry-level medical jobs no degree.

How Can You Quantify the Impact of Brainstorming Sessions?

Establishing clear metrics transforms qualitative brainstorming into quantitatively measurable outcomes. By defining key performance indicators—such as idea-to-implementation ratios, time-to-market improvements, and participant engagement levels—organizations can objectively assess the value added by creative sessions. Utilizing post-session surveys, digital collaboration analytics, and trend comparison methodologies enables teams to identify strengths and address areas for improvement. Coupling these practices with targeted educational strategies, such as pursuing the most prestigious online degrees, further reinforces a culture of continuous innovation and measurable success.

How Does Formal Education Enhance Brainstorming Outcomes?

Formal education offers structured frameworks that sharpen analytical thinking and creative problem-solving skills, key components for effective brainstorming. Rigorous academic environments encourage systematic inquiry and cross-disciplinary exploration, enabling individuals to draw innovative connections and challenge conventional assumptions. Integrating academic learning with practical brainstorming sessions empowers professionals to approach complex challenges with a balanced perspective and refined methodologies. This combination enhances the generation of strategic, evidence-based ideas that drive sustainable business growth while reinforcing critical thinking skills. For a deeper understanding of academic approaches that complement these competencies, explore our guide What is the easiest bachelor's degree?

Key Insights

• Definition and Purpose:
  • Brainstorming is a collaborative activity where individuals gather to exchange ideas and seek positive outcomes, often leading to the development of new networks and innovative solutions.
• Challenges in Brainstorming:
  • Common issues include disagreements, lack of participation, and forgotten ideas, which can make brainstorming sessions feel unproductive.
• Benefits of Brainstorming:
  • Promotes critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Encourages open-mindedness and the exploration of diverse ideas.
  • Fosters team bonding through collaborative efforts.
• Effective Techniques:
  • Brainwriting: Members write their ideas independently before discussing them, reducing anchoring bias.
  • Figuring Storming: Team members adopt different perspectives to generate new insights.
  • Brain-netting: Uses cloud-based tools for virtual brainstorming sessions.
  • Fast Ideation: Sets a deadline for idea generation, allowing deep thinking without immediate time pressure.
  • Round Robin Brainstorming: Ensures all team members contribute ideas in a structured manner.
  • Starbursting: Focuses on asking comprehensive questions about the topic.
  • Stepladder Technique: Involves members contributing ideas individually before group discussion, preventing undue influence.
• Scientific Approach:
  • Individual brainstorming can be effective by following the "three E processes": Extract, Expose, and Evaluate, as outlined by Prominski and Tan.
• Business Applications:
  • Brainstorming is instrumental in business for fostering innovation, enhancing teamwork, and integrating diverse perspectives, thus driving motivation and engagement across the organization.

FAQ

1. What is brainstorming?

Brainstorming is a process where a group of people gather to exchange ideas and seek positive outcomes. It aims to generate original and interesting solutions through collaborative efforts.

2. What are the benefits of brainstorming?

Brainstorming promotes critical thinking, encourages open-mindedness, and fosters team bonding. It allows individuals to solve problems collaboratively and refine ideas through diverse perspectives.

3. What are some common challenges in brainstorming sessions?

Common challenges include disagreements among members, lack of participation, and important ideas being forgotten. These issues can make sessions feel unproductive and frustrating.

4. How can brainwriting improve brainstorming sessions?

Brainwriting involves team members writing their ideas independently before discussing them. This reduces anchoring bias and allows for more thoughtful and diverse contributions.

5. What is the figuring storming technique?

Figuring storming requires team members to adopt different perspectives, imagining how others might handle a situation. This technique helps generate new insights and solutions.

6. How does brain-netting facilitate virtual brainstorming?

Brain-netting uses cloud-based tools and online collaboration platforms to facilitate brainstorming sessions for remote teams. This approach ensures that ideas are documented and easily accessible.

7. What is fast ideation and how does it work?

Fast ideation sets a deadline for idea generation, allowing team members to think deeply without immediate time pressure. It can be customized to fit the team's needs and helps ensure timely contributions.

8. How does round robin brainstorming ensure participation?

Round robin brainstorming involves each team member contributing an idea in turn, ensuring that everyone has a chance to speak and contribute their thoughts to the discussion.

9. What is starbursting and why is it useful?

Starbursting focuses on asking comprehensive questions about a topic rather than finding immediate answers. This technique ensures that all aspects of the task are considered and helps prevent oversight.

10. How does the stepladder technique work?

The stepladder technique involves members contributing ideas individually before joining the group discussion. This method prevents undue influence and encourages independent thinking, making it effective for groups of 5 to 15 members.

11. Why is brainstorming important for businesses?

Brainstorming is important for businesses as it fosters innovation, enhances teamwork, and integrates diverse perspectives. It drives motivation and engagement by including everyone in the problem-solving process and considering various interests and expectations.

References:

1. Drexel University. (2018, November 16). Why Brainstorming Is Important & How To Do It. Drexel University.
2. Hansen, B. (2018, May 16). 7 Techniques for More Effective Brainstorming. Wrike.
3. Kosonen, M., Gan, C., Vanhala, M., & Blomqvist, K. (2014). User motivation and knowledge sharing in idea crowdsourcing. International Journal of Innovation Management.
4. Mackeprang, M., Hadler, T., Kern, K., & Muller-Birn, C. (2020, January). Seeker or Avoider? User Modeling for Inspiration Deployment in Larger-Scale Ideation. Arxiv.
5. Prominski, A., & Tian B. (2020, September 2). Quiet Brainstorming: Expecting the Unexpected. Science Direct.