Ideation

Why

To develop new and creative ideas in a structured way.

How

Bring people together in order to spark creativity. You can also do this on your own; there are many different creative techniques.

Ingredients

• A clear problem statement.

• A specific ideation technique, for example: analogies, metaphors, brain-drawing, brain-writing, mind maps.

• Willingness and ability to use intermediate ideas as stepping stones for new ones, even if they do not solve the problem.

• Avoid idea killers, like early criticism.

Practice

Ideation sessions, either individual or in groups, are part of most engineering processes.