What Actually Works

Research-backed methods consistently outperform traditional brainstorming:

• Brainwriting — everyone writes ideas silently for 5-10 minutes before sharing, removing production blocking and evaluation apprehension at once
• Nominal group technique — individuals generate ideas alone, then the group combines, discusses, and votes
• 6-3-5 method — 6 people each write 3 ideas in 5 minutes, then pass their sheet on for the next person to build on; six rounds yield 108 ideas in half an hour
• Structured solo ideation — give people the problem and a deadline, let them work alone, then collect and synthesize.