| Michigan Healthcare Improvement Brainstorming Tips |
Brainstorming is an excellent way to get stakeholders engaged and invested
in health care improvement initiatives. It allows them to develop solutions to be
used in your project. And when it is their idea, they’ll no doubt want to see it
succeed.
Below are some tips you can use to make your brainstorming session more
effective.
in health care improvement initiatives. It allows them to develop solutions to be
used in your project. And when it is their idea, they’ll no doubt want to see it
succeed.
Below are some tips you can use to make your brainstorming session more
effective.
1. Present the group with a clear and well-defined problem and write it down where everyone can see it. Any
confusion will hamper idea generation.
confusion will hamper idea generation.
- 2. Ask for the first thing that comes to people’s minds and assure them that you want to hear anything they think
of; no matter how “silly” they think it is. Because no idea is silly – every idea generates more ideas.
- 3. The type of brainstorming session you employ should depend on the personalities of your team members. If
you have members who are shy or not likely to participate, try using a structured approach. Go around the
room and ask each person to give one idea. This can be done out loud or in writing. Compile the ideas and
use them to generate more ideas. Repeat the process. An unstructured approach allows members to shout
ideas as they come to mind. Use this method when you have vocal members or when you want to create a
more relaxed atmosphere.
- 4. Write every idea down on a flip chart in the speakers own words.
- 5. Keep the session fast-paced and brief. End the session when ideas slow down. Think of it like microwave
popcorn: it’s done when the popping slows down. Generally, sessions should not last more than 15 minutes.
- 6. Try utilizing a team-building activity right before a brainstorming session. These activities help to acquaint
team members and ease tension as well as stimulate creativity. One simple activity divides a team into two
groups. Each group volleys a ball to each member (in order). The group with the most volleys without
dropping wins. No catching allowed.
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