Brainstorming Solutions

1. Today you will be using your engineering notebook and your Note taking notebook. Brainstorming Solutions

2. By the end of today’s discussion you should be able to discuss the following using your notes. Learning Objectives • Understand Brainstorming • Be able to apply the Rules for Brainstorming • Implement at least one Brainstorming Techniques • Be able to avoid Concept Generation Dysfunctions • Have strategies to implement ‘If I Get Stuck . . .’ • Use these techniques in a team to improve an existing product.

3. Brainstorming A group technique for solving problems, generating ideas, stimulating creative thinking, etc. It involves collecting ideas without regard to feasibility.

4. Rules for Brainstorming Important!! • No criticism allowed • Work for quantity • Welcome piling-on • Allow free-for-all

5. No Criticism Allowed • People automatically tend to evaluate each suggested idea - their own, as well as others • Allow all members to contribute

6. High Quantity Brainstorming • People must experience “brain-drain” before the innovative, creative ideas can surface. • Therefore, the more ideas, the more likely quality ideas will surface.

7. Welcome Piling-On • Piling-on occurs when a member’s idea produces a similar idea or an enhanced idea. • All ideas should be recorded.

8. Allow Free-for-All • Outrageous, humorous, and seemingly unimportant ideas should be recorded. • It is possible for the most off-the-wall idea to be one wherein lies the solution for the problem. • The sky is the limit.

9. Free Form Brainstreaming • Post-It Notes • Free writing • “Blurting out”

10. Brainstorming Techniques Forced Association Ideas created by mentally forcing the association of two seemingly unrelated items Johan Gutenberg Wine press + coin stamp = Moveable type press

11. Brainstorming Techniques SCAMMPERR

12. Mind Mapping Major Idea Major Idea Main Idea Major Idea Major Idea Major Idea

13. Mind Mapping

14. Brainstorming Documentation All ideas should be captured • Have a note taker • Take photographs • Compile ideas after the session Project Date Team Take good notes. Record all ideas.

15. Concept Generation Dysfunctions • Utilizing a poor design brief • Assuming there is only ONE right answer • Getting hooked on the FIRST solution • Considering the ideas from only one or two team members

16. Concept Generation Dysfunctions • Feeling too anxious to finish • Becoming frustrated by the lack of success • Getting hooked on a solution that almost works

17. If You Get Stuck . . . • Combine promising partial solutions • Try a different brainstorming technique • Try both individual and group brainstorming • Do some more research • Consider concepts used by other designs • Consider concepts employed in unrelated products

18. Brainstorming Solutions Describe these to your neighbors. You can use your notes. • Brainstorming • Rules for Brainstorming • Brainstorming Techniques • Concept Generation Dysfunctions • If You Get Stuck . . .

19. Image Sources Microsoft, Inc. (2008). Clip art. Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx

20. Applying Brainstorming in Product Development • Procedure • Document in your Engineering Notebook. Label the first page “1.4 Stapler Product Improvement”. • This activity is designed to provide an introduction to design. • As a team of two, you will brainstorm ways to enhance or change a stapler so that nearly every consumer would want to purchase it. • Remember to apply the rules for brainstorming that were identified in the PowerPoint during this activity.

21. Schedule • Assign a recorder and a speaker for your group. • Brainstorm for five minutes with your team to identify enhancements or changes that you would make to the item. • The recorder will make a list of all ideas mentioned in your engineering notebook. Changes or enhancements could be anything; you are not limited by cost. • After five minutes, select ideas to enhance or change the item from the brainstorming list. (Both notebooks) • For the next ten minutes, each member of the team will develop and sketch a potential change or enhancement to your product. (Both notebooks) • Your team will take five additional minutes to develop a justification for each potential change to the item. (Both notebooks) • Your team speaker will present your changes to the class. (In 30 seconds or less elevator pitch)

22. 1.4 Conclusion: Answer the following using complete sentences in your Engineering Journal • What factors must be considered when changing or enhancing a design? • Why it is important to document the brainstorming process? • What is the purpose of sketching your ideas? • What effective or ineffective techniques did the group speaker use to communicate your idea to the class?