The Brainstorming Session template provides structure for creative ideation sessions. This format helps teams generate a wide range of ideas, from wild and creative to practical and implementable, then combine and refine them into actionable concepts.
This template is perfect for innovation sessions, problem-solving, feature ideation, or any situation where teams need to generate creative solutions. It balances free thinking with structure to ensure productive outcomes.
Ideation Process
The format organizes ideas into four stages:
- Wild Ideas: Creative, out-of-the-box thinking without constraints
- Practical Ideas: Realistic, implementable solutions
- Combined Ideas: Merging and refining ideas from previous stages
- Next Steps: Actionable concepts ready for implementation
This progression helps teams move from creative exploration to concrete, actionable ideas.
How to facilitate
Brainstorming Best Practices
- Defer judgment: No idea is too wild in the Wild Ideas phase
- Encourage quantity: More ideas lead to better solutions
- Build on ideas: Use "yes, and..." thinking
- Time-box phases: Keep energy high with time limits
- Visual thinking: Use sketches, diagrams, and visual aids
Facilitation Tips
- Start with a clear problem statement or challenge
- Use warm-up exercises to get creative juices flowing
- Encourage participation from everyone
- Capture all ideas—don't filter during ideation
- Use voting to identify most promising ideas
When to use this template
When to Use Brainstorming
- Innovation sessions: Exploring new opportunities
- Problem solving: Finding creative solutions
- Feature ideation: Generating product ideas
- Process improvement: Finding better ways to work
Example Outcomes
Effective brainstorming sessions produce:
- Diverse range of ideas from multiple perspectives
- Creative solutions that wouldn't emerge from normal discussion
- Combined ideas that are better than individual concepts
- Actionable next steps ready for implementation
