Encourage fresh thinking and brainstorm new ideas
Great brainstorming sessions set the stage for fresh ideas and generative thinking through simple guidelines and an open, collaborative environment.
Use this template when you're just kicking off a new project and want to hit the ground running with big ideas that will move your team forward.
In this section detail each step of the process in using the Mural template. These steps may be taken directly from the template itself.
Create 5 “How might we” statements before the activity to propose to the team. These questions help to clarify the big picture and focus the ideation process on the specific topic the team is trying to solve.
Have each participant begin in the “solo brainstorm space” by silently brainstorming ideas and placing them into the template canvas.
This “silent-storming” avoids group-think and creates an inclusive environment for introverts and extroverts alike. Set a time limit and encourage team members to go for quantity.
Have everyone move their ideas in to the “group sharing space” and read through them. As a team, discuss and sort the ideas by thematic topics or similarities.
Discuss and answer any questions that arise. Encourage “Yes, and…” to build on the ideas of the other team members along the way.
Give each team member two votes to decide on the best idea. You can either give participants two “thumbs-up” icons, or conduct a vote with Mural’s voting feature.
Now that you have some great ideas to act upon, define what the next steps should be for proposing your solution to stakeholders and moving forward with your idea.
Brainstorming is a powerful tool for generating new ideas and problem-solving, but not all brainstorming sessions are equally effective. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your brainstorming sessions:
Learn more in our guide to running a brainstorming session.
Mural is the only platform that offers both a shared workspace and training on the LUMA System™, a practical way to collaborate that anyone can learn and apply.