Online brainstorming in 7 steps

Welcome to our third blog on online brainstorming. Our first blog emphasized the importance of live online brainstorming, while the second blog focused on optimal preparation. In this latest blog, we cover how to successfully conduct an online brainstorming session in 7 steps. Which ones they are you can read below!

1. Start with a good introduction

Of course start the session with a good start: welcome, check in (how is everyone sitting?), show the agenda and do a fun interactive introduction should the participants not yet know each other.

2. Practice with the tool

Are you using the chat, whiteboard or an external program during the brainstorm? Then first introduce participants to these by doing a fun low-threshold exercise or by doing the introduction with that tool as well, for example.

3. Discuss the importance and rules

Before you start the brainstorm, discuss what is the reason for the intended brainstorm (why are we doing this?) and what is the main goal. Then share the ground rules for a good brainstorming session. These are:

• All ideas are welcome (the crazier the better!)
• Do not criticize
• Build on ideas from others
• We go for quantity

Support the first three steps visually with some nice catchy PowerPoint slides.

4. Start with a braindump

Before you get started with the actual brainstorming, it is a good idea to gather all existing ideas right away. This can be done with a braindump: each participant freely writes down all the ideas he or she has about the issue. Capturing all existing ideas via chat, for example, opens the door to more original alternatives.

5. Implement the chosen form of work

If all goes well, in the previous stage already prepared a brainstorming variant. Time to implement it now!

6. Cluster and evaluate the ideas collected

The idea phase is followed by an idea evaluation phase, where the ideas collected are compared, reviewed and further developed. For this, schedule 5 to 10 minutes after the brainstorming to cluster all the ideas into logical themes.

A simple method to quickly select the best ideas is to have participants vote. Give everyone a number of votes and have them vote individually and silently. For example, have them put check marks by the ideas they find most interesting. Are you using an external tool such as Mural or Miro? There is often the option to respond to notes using a thumb or heart. After voting, make a list of the ideas that received the most votes.

A useful tool for convergence is the evaluation matrix: a model with two axes that create four planes. The horizontal axis assesses the effort required and the vertical axis assesses the impact. Place all ideas in the evaluation matrix. Ideas with high impact and low effort are ideal: pick these up first. Ideas with low impact and a lot of effort are better postponed.

7. Discuss next steps.

Whether you decide immediately which ideas you want to take up or not, always take time at the end of the session to discuss the next steps. What will it take to implement your idea? Who is responsible for what tasks? And what are the deadlines? At the end of the meeting, send a summary and the list of action items you agreed on as a group to each participant. This way you avoid misunderstandings and ensure action.

Speaking of action, we have come to the end of this third and also last blog on brainstorming. Are you ready for your next live online brainstorm? Good luck!