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Ideation and prioritization
From ideas to action.
Generating and evaluating ideas
Idea generation (also known as brainstorming) can be the most exciting and anticipated activity in the process. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible in a judgment-free space that allows for creativity to flourish before evaluation begins.
The process
Participants write all of their ideas on sticky notes.
- Similar to problem framing, we ask each participant to record one idea per sticky note, allowing ideas to be easily moved, grouped, and organized later in the process.
- Participants are also asked to describe each idea in 3-4 words or through a simple drawing so the meaning remains visible after the activity is completed.
Students are encouraged to generate as many ideas as possible.
- They can be funny, unusual, or seemingly unrealistic ideas.
- This creates a space where creativity and out-of-the-box thinking are welcome.
Students each take turns sharing a single idea at a time.
Similar ideas are grouped on a wall or whiteboard, creating clusters of related concepts.
- At the end of the activity, the team has several clusters of ideas that represent different directions they can pursue.
The process
Each participant votes on the idea they find most promising, and a direction is selected for further development. This activity can be complemented with a critical reflection question followed by a prioritization activity to help students move beyond generating ideas and begin to evaluate them. Groups are encouraged to consider which ideas reflect deeper thinking and align with the principles and criteria used in the judging process.