Brainstorming Techniques Resource Center

Welcome to the Brainstorming Techniques Resource Center, which is designed help you to locate the best articles, books, tools and software for brainstorming and idea generation. It includes information on brainstorming techniques, as well as links to a wealth of other techniques for generating ideas.

In short, if it has to do with brainstorming or ideation, you'll probably find it here!

If you would like to contribute to this resource center, please contact Chuck Frey.

Brainstorming strategy: Don’t settle for the first idea
When looking for solutions to problems, we humans have an unfortunate tendency to embrace the first solution that comes to mind. That can be counterproductive, but it can also blind us to more creative, effective and ultimately more profitable solutions, according to Jeffrey Baumgartner.

When brainstorming, don't give in to limited thinking
When we are trying to dream up ideas for a particular problem, we have a tendency to look at the limitations and focus our ideation on ideas that meet the demands of our limitations. Here's some advice from Jeffrey Baumgartner on how to overcome this thinking trap.

Use 'knowledgestorming' to tap your team's collective knowledge, experience and ideas

Creative thinking technique: Lotus Blossom

Enhance your personal innovation with a brainstorming retreat

Free creative thinking tools on the Web

How unusual combinations lead to breakthrough ideas

Ten power tools for recording your best ideas

Think horizontally and vertically to solve your next creative challenge

How to take a creative 'excursion'

Tips for personal brainstorming

Got a problem? Take a 'walk' around it

New Free the Genie brainstorming card deck is worthwhile addition to your ideation toolkit
Free the Genie is a new deck of 55 creative thinking cards that you can think of as your "personal genie" -- a powerful brainstorming assistant that is available to you anytime, anywhere to help you unstick your thinking.

First look: MetaMemes brainstorming card deck
If you're looking for a unique, multi-faceted tool to help you and your team to develop more creative, divergent ideas, then you ought to consider investing in MetaMemes, a fascinating new brainstorming card deck.

Idea Navigator Guide helps you to nurture your best ideas
The Yearly Idea Navigator Guide is a unique workbook that is designed to help you keep creative problem-solving at the forefront of your thinking and planning on a weekly basis throughout the year. Read on to learn how you can utilize it to jump-start your creative thinking!

MindSights helps knowledge workers find the best thinking tools for the job

PPO Cube helps you draw analogies, inspiration from your knowledge and experiences

New Innovative Whack Pack card deck is perfect brainstorming companion

IdeaCue: New brainstorming program is capable, easy to use

IdeaFisher Pro: The Perfect Catalyst for Your Mind

Creator Studio 2002 helps executives brainstorm solutions to common challenges

ThoughtPath: Well-suited to first-time users of idea-generation software

Here are some of the best resources on brainstorming techniques from around the Web:

Creativity techniques from MindTools
Includes popular brainstorming and idea-generation techniques like SCAMPER, reversal, random input and Simplex.

Creativity techniques - Mycoted Ltd.
A categorized listing of over 200 brainstorming techniques from the Mycoted Web site - impressive!

Thunderbolt thinking techniques
19 brainstorming techniques from Grace McGartland, author of the book "Thunderbolt Thinking."

The CPS (creative problem solving) process
This page from the Boise State University College of Business clearly explains the popular CPS technique.

Techniques for creative thinking
An impressive list of creativity techniques from Charles Cave's excellent creativity Web site.

Creative thinking and lateral thinking techniques
11 brainstorming techniques from the Infinite Innovations Ltd. Web site.

Creative thinking techniques
A nice tutorial that details how to use a number of popular creativity techniques from Robert Harris, author of "Creative Problem Solving: A Step-by-Step Approach."

Here are recent headlines about brainstorming and idea-generation software and tools, from Innovation in the News and the Innovation Weblog:

Creative problem-solving technique: Directed free association

Creative thinking technique: Peripheral viewing

Why Not? book excerpt offers a framework for creative problem solving

The great hider: Look outside the problem for the solution

Creative Recombination: Use What You Have

Fast Talk: How inventors develop, nurture their ideas

How to Practice Integrative Thinking

IdeaCue launches IdeaPrompt brainstorming software

Questions are one of the best tools for unlocking creativity

"Creativity" made simple - Divergence & Convergence

New version 1.223 of Brainstorming Bungy software now available

Create a trend wall to stimulate ideas

A powerful group brainstorming technique: IdeaExchange

Here are some of the best books on brainstorming techniques:

	Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko
	A-ha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Idea by Jordan Ayan
	Five Star Mind by Tom Wujec
	A Whack on the Side of the Head by Roger von Oech

Here are several hand-held creativity tools that you can use to brainstorm new ideas:

	Free the Genie card deck from Idea Champions - NEW!
	KnowBrainer 2.0 by Gerald Haman
	ThinkPak by Michael Michalko
	Creative Whack Pack by Roger von Oech
	Innovative Whack Pack by Roger von Oech - NEW!