what does brainstorm mean
“Brainstorm” is a verb that refers to a spontaneous group or individual activity where people generate as many ideas or solutions as possible about a specific problem or topic in a limited amount of time. The primary objective is to encourage creative thinking and generate a wide array of ideas without initially judging or evaluating them.
The term “brainstorming” was popularized by Alex Osborn, an advertising executive, in the 1950s. The underlying principle is that a group of people can produce a greater quantity and diversity of ideas than any one individual, especially when judgment or criticism is suspended during the initial phase of idea generation.
Brainstorming can be conducted in various ways, including:
- Free-form brainstorming: Participants simply call out or write down their ideas as they come to mind.
- Structured brainstorming: Specific techniques or processes are used, such as the “Six Thinking Hats” method or “mind mapping.”
- Silent brainstorming: Participants write down their ideas silently before sharing them with the group.
- Remote or online brainstorming: Leveraging digital tools to collaborate and brainstorm ideas, especially when participants are in different locations.
After the brainstorming session, ideas are typically reviewed, grouped, discussed, and prioritized for further exploration or implementation.
what does brainstorm mean
