Brainstorming: definition and example
Brainstorming is a technique for producing a large number of ideas on a topic, alone or in a group, before any of them is judged or chosen.
What it means
The key rule is to separate producing ideas from judging them. Ideas come out faster when no one has to defend them yet.
How a mind map helps
A map gives each idea a place the moment it appears. Put the question in the central topic, add ideas as branches, and group them later. A floating topic catches ideas that do not fit yet.
After the session
Sort the branches, merge duplicates, and mark the best ones. A matrix or the decision making template can then help you choose.
In MindmapPal
The brainstorming template opens in the editor as a map ready to fill. The mind map maker works in your browser.
Example
A team asks how to get more sign-ups. For ten minutes everyone adds ideas to a map under one centre, "More sign-ups". Only afterwards do they mark the three to try.
Related terms
- Mind map: A mind map is a diagram that puts one idea in the centre and arranges related ideas around it as branches, with the details of each branch nested under it.
- Radial thinking: Radial thinking is the habit of starting from one idea and branching out to every related idea around it, rather than following a single line of reasoning.
- Floating topic: A floating topic is a topic placed freely on a mind map canvas, not connected to the central topic or to any branch.
- Spider diagram: A spider diagram is a diagram with a topic in the middle and related ideas on lines around it, like the legs of a spider, and is closely related to a mind map.
See it in a template
Brainstorming mind map template