Brainstorming and Beyond

Chauncey Wilson is a UX Architect with 40 years of experience in human factors, usability, and user experience design. He has published and presented widely at UXPA, STC, CHI, APA, and HFES conferences. The author has published several books and chapters on usability engineering, brainstorming, surveys, victimization, and inspection methods. He has worked in small and large firms, started teams, consulted for a large firm, and consulted as a lone consultant. He enjoys the role of mentor and always tries to highlight the pros and cons of methods, principles, and processes. He is a member of the Skeptic's society and enjoys the role of "Chief Skeptic.” Chauncey does not believe in magic numbers, miracle methods, or methodolotry.

Brainstorming and Beyond describes the techniques for generating ideas verbally, in writing, or through sketches. The first chapter focuses on brainstorming, the foundation method for ideation, which is a complex social process building off of social psychology principles, motivational constructs, and corporate culture. Brainstorming is commonly portrayed as an easy way to generate ideas, but in reality, it is a complex social process that is often flawed in ways that are not self-evident. Chapter 2 discusses Brainwriting, which is a variation on brainstorming in which each person writes ideas down on paper and then passes the paper to a new person who reads the first set of ideas and adds new ones. Since there is no group shouting out of ideas, strong facilitation skills are not required, and more often than not, Brainwriting results greatly exceed those of group brainstorming in a shorter time because ideas are generated in a parallel, rather than serial, fashion. Brainwriting is useful when time is limited, groups are hostile, or you are dealing with a culture where shouting out wild or divergent ideas might be difficult. Finally, in Chapter 3, readers learn about Braindrawing, a method of visual brainstorming that helps practitioners generate ideas for icons, other graphics, user interface layouts, or Web page designs. Each of these methods provides readers with ways to generate, present, and evaluate ideas so they can begin building a strong foundation for product success.

1. Brainstorming Overview of Brainstorming When Should You Use Brainstorming? Procedures and Practical Advice on Brainstorming Variations and Extensions to Brainstorming Reverse (Negative) Brainstorming Data Analysis for Brainstorming What Do You Need for Brainstorming? Recommended Readings References 2. Brainwriting Overview of Brainwriting When Should You Use Brainwriting? Procedures and Practical Advice on Interactive Brainwriting After the Brainwriting Session Variations and Extensions to Brainwriting Major Issues in the Use of Brainwriting Data Analysis What Do You Need to Use The Brainwriting Method? Recommended Readings References 3. Braindrawing Overview of Braindrawing When Should You Use Braindrawing? Procedures and Practical Advice on the Braindrawing Method Variations and Extensions to Braindrawing Major Issues in the Use of Braindrawing Data Analysis What Do You Need to Use Braindrawing? Recommended Readings References