Brainstorming

Works by:

 * expressing all ideas even if they are insane.
 * As many ideas as possible
 * Don’t worry if ideas are good or bad and don’t criticize other people’s ideas
 * All ideas belong to the group and members can build off each other’s work.

Factors that reduce effectiveness of brainstorming:
Ways to enhance effectiveness of brainstorming: Electronic brainstorming is effective because:
 * production blocking: People waiting their turn to speak, might forget their ideas or too busy trying to listen to other people’s ideas
 * Free riding: as others contribute ideas, people might feel less inclined to work hard themselves, they see their own contributions as less necessary
 * Evaluation apprehension: people are hesitant to suggest wild and crazy ideas for fear of looking silly and being criticized.
 * Performance matching: group members work as hard as they see one another work.
 * People working alone produce a greater number of better ideas in groups than when the group is together
 * Have members brainstorm alone and then together
 * Training people in effective brainstorming
 * Alternate types of brainstorming sessions
 * Pace the amount and time of brainstorming sessions
 * Production blocking is reduced because people can share their ideas whenever they come to mind
 * Free riding is reduced because the computer can keep track of everyone’s input
 * Evaluation apprehension is reduced because group members can contribute anonymously


 * Performance matching is reduced because group members don’t spend much time observing the performance of others and spend more time on their own ideas
 * Group members benefit from observing one another’s ideas and having the time to build off of them