Project planning: Applying brainstorming techniques to get started

'Intelligence is something we are born with. Thinking is a skill that must be learned.'

Edward de Bono

Having now gained an overview of the 8-steps in the process of project planning over the past two blogs, this week we will address the serious challenge of how to get started with assigned projects by the application of creative brainstorming.

The challenge of getting started on assigned projects

As mentioned in the blog last week, many people report that simply getting started on a project is often experienced as the most intimidating step in the process. Then, freezing at this stage can subsequently open the door to various time allocation threats such as procrastination and optimism bias as discussed in previous blogs.

This challenge is comically illustrated by Jimmy Breslin, an American journalist and novelist, who comments:

'That’s the horrible thing starting out, you get distracted a lot because anything is easier than writing. It’s just the same enemy – blank paper.'

Defining Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a creative and comfortable approach to address and overcome the initial experience of frustration due to being unclear about how to begin work on an assigned project. This is because, once learnt and practiced, this strategy immediately helps trigger possible problem-solving responses to a task by reducing stress. Put simply, once we get started, completing the work required becomes increasingly more manageable.

While we shall continue to explore the process of brainstorming, especially once we move on to the issue of teamworking in future blogs, for now, we need to become familiarised with some of the basic techniques.

The initial process of brainstorming

Various techniques can be used to record the outcome of brainstorming sessions such as spidergrams and mind maps. The initial steps in the process are as follows:

• Write the topic at the centre of a large sheet of paper or on a whiteboard.

• Write down anything that comes to mind on the topic.

• Write without initially attempting to categorise or explain the points.

• Write until all the ideas are exhausted.

• Write in simple word or point form, not in sentences.

Then, after completing the initial brainstorm, review the information recorded, select useful points, eliminate the rest, and then reorganise what remains into some form of visually meaningful logical order.

Examples of the two common styles of brainstorm techniques

1) Spidergrams

A spidergram is a simple radial line diagram that highlights the main ideas and concepts related to the central topic. Spidergrams are often used during brainstorming as a method to provide a basic initial visual representation of key ideas.

Spidergram example on brainstorming a presentation outline

2) Mind maps

A mind map is a multi-coloured radial diagram that includes visual images and concepts. Mind maps also attempt to illustrate semantic or other connections between concepts, arguments, or processes.

Mind map example on brainstorming a presentation

Note that numerous examples of spidergrams and mind maps are shown online that can help provide useful insights on your assigned task. However, do not use these examples to conveniently avoid spending time and effort on your own brainstorming or you will significantly reduce the benefit of this creative problem-solving experience. Moreover, note that brainstorming is not just about getting started, though essential, but also a method to develop your critical, imaginative, and project planning abilities.

---

Question 1

What factors might reduce motivation to engage in the process of brainstorming?

Question 2

How might students from teacher-led learning cultures find brainstorming more of a challenge than those from an Anglo student-led context?

Question 3

To what extent is brainstorming an essential aspect of effective teamworking?

---

In the blog next week, we will begin our exploration of the challenge of working successfully in teams by first evaluating the contrast between groups and teams.