Innovative Technique # 1 : Reality Check

In the last post I promised to show you some alternative approaches to the Classical Brainstorming method that Osborn pioneered some sixty years ago... So here's the first.

I call this technique Reality Check but others may refer to is as the Force-Fit Game. It was originally devised by a guy called Helmut Schlicksupp in Frankfurt and is fairly risque as unlike most creativity sessions it uses light competition as the basis for innovation. As such, be careful when using this method as it can cause fraction in the team, especially if you've still got some long brainstorming sessions ahead of you and you need the team to work as a single unit again later.

That said, a little pressure never hurt anyone and research proves that, if handled correctly and done in a fun manner, a little competition can encourage creativity. So, before and during the use of this method, ensure the mood is light-hearted and you're all having fun - best way is to award a prize to the winner that is likely to be shared amongst all players at the end (box of chocolates or biscuits always works well).

So, here we go... First break into two groups (Reds and Blues) each with two to eight people. The facilitator displays and reads the problem definition to the groups ensuring they are all clear on what the problem is.

The Reds suggest an idea that is as remote from the actual problem as possible. So if the problem was "how to improve customer satisfaction by 25%" the idea might be "don't turn up for work at the call centre in the morning" or even "go on a hot air balloon trip to Mars". The crazier the better, remember we're having fun here.

The Blues then have two minutes to develop a practical idea based on that looney suggestion from the Reds. Facilitator tip: record all ideas looney or otherwise on a flipchart.

OK. If the facilitator decides that the Blues' idea is plausible the Blues get a point. If it has not linkeage whatsoever to the Reds' original whacky idea or is still not plausible, the Reds get the point. The facilitator's word is final on point awarding, deduct points for anyone who argues - in a fun way of course! That's a good point though, keep the judging as light as possible so as not to create an overly competitive climate.

Carry on doing this for five rounds and then swap roles, i.e. the Blues come up with the mad idea and the Reds try to make it plausible. This gives the teams time to think up their own crazy ideas.

After 30 minutes or so, or an agreed number of rounds, the game ends and the team with the most points wins the prize.

You can evaluate the plausible ideas that have been generated later, either with the original teams or in a different session. With a bit of practice the idea generation is rapid and off-the-cuff and creativity will flow. It's best deployed as a warm-up or prelude to the real brainstorming that's to take place, or at the end of the day as a fun, relaxing wind-down to a hard day of creation...

Leave a comment and let me know how you get on with this technique or how you have managed to improve it. You might also want to research "Brainwriting" on the internet which is based on this technique. There will also be more about Brainwriting in another post.

Innovate, create, excel - but above all else have fun doing it!