Course: The Art of Brainstorming and Ideation

Masterclass Outline , Brainstorming & Ideation: Turning Wild Thinking into Workable Outcomes

Opening line: If you still think brainstorming is just shouting ideas in a room with a whiteboard marker, you're missing half the toolset.

This outline is built for a practical, results focused programme that teaches teams how to generate, refine and implement ideas reliably , not just once in a blue moon inspiration, but repeatable creative practice. The content below is deliberately prescriptive in parts and playful in others. That's the point: the best ideation blends clear structure with room for chaos.

Programme snapshot (randomised design choices)
- Topic: Brainstorming & Ideation , methods, facilitation and implementation.
- Target audience and level (randomised): Emerging leaders and frontline managers in mid size Organisations (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane), plus HR managers responsible for capability uplift.
- Preferred duration and format (randomised): 3 × 2 hour virtual live sessions (with optional 1 full day face to face consolidation in a city hub).
- Delivery mode (randomised): Hybrid , primary delivery via live virtual workshops; one face to face sprint for participating cohorts where feasible.
- Price & practical constraint (example): $495 inc. GST per participant; cohorts capped at 18 people for live sessions and 24 for the face to face sprint. Platform: Zoom + Miro; location hubs: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth options.
- Assessment/measurement needs (randomised): Pre work ideation diagnostic, live roleplay scoring, post programme implementation tracker, manager observed behaviour change checklist at 8 weeks.

Why this programme , quick rationale
- Creativity is no longer optional. The World Economic Forum identifies creativity among the key skills for the next decade , you don't get to be competitive otherwise.
- A repeatable brainstorming practice reduces risk: instead of relying on a single genius moment, teams build a pipeline of ideas and a disciplined way to select and pilot them.
- Some will argue free for all sessions produce the best thinking. I disagree , structure liberates. Others will say you need expensive offsites; I disagree there too. Good ideation happens with the right process and follow through, not a fancy venue.

Learning outcomes (behavioural and metric focused)
By the end of the programme participants will:
- Behavioural outcomes
- Facilitate at least three different ideation methods (classic brainstorm, brainwriting, SCAMPER) with confidence and equity.
- Apply divergent and convergent thinking in a single session and lead transitions between them.
- Use digital collaboration tools (Miro/Whiteboard) to capture and cluster ideas in real time.
- Coach peers and junior staff to contribute ideas; reduce dominance of louder voices and uplift quieter contributors.
- Measurable outcomes
- Increase the number of viable concepts generated per session by 40% (baseline via pre work diagnostic).
- Improve the implementation hit rate: 20% more pilotable ideas reach prototyping stage within 90 days.
- Participant satisfaction target: average workshop rating ≥ 4.3/5.
- Manager observed behavioural change in 70% of participants at 8 week review.

Programme structure , session by session (3×2 hour virtual model with a one day in person consolidation)
Session 0 , Pre work (self paced, 60 to 90 minutes)
- Purpose: baseline, context setting, diagnostic and common language.
- Activities: short readings, a 10 minute ideation diagnostic (sample exercise where each participant submits 5 ideas for a common brief), short survey on current team dynamics.
- Deliverable: facilitator receives anonymised baseline cluster; participants receive a one page prep brief.

Session 1 , Foundations and Divergent Thinking (2 hours)
- Objective: teach the mechanics of generating a lot of ideas quickly and safely.
- Core components:
- Brief theoretical primer: divergent vs convergent thinking, psychological safety, and group dynamics.
- Rapid practice: 10 minute silent brainwriting warm up (everyone contributes privately via sticky notes).
- Classic brainstorming rules repackaged for the digital room: defer judgement, encourage wild ideas, build on others, aim for quantity.
- Tools & templates: mind maps, affinity mapping, and a quick intro to SCAMPER prompts.
- Activities: two mini exercises on distinct briefs (Customer pain point; internal process improvement).
- Wrap: quick debrief and action item , participants prepare a short team brief to bring to session 2.

Session 2 , Convergent Techniques and Selection (2 hours)
- Objective: translate raw ideas into prioritised, testable concepts.
- Core components:
- Convergent tools: Dot voting, RICE/ICE scoring variants, rapid feasibility checks.
- Facilitator techniques to avoid premature convergence and ensure diverse criteria are considered (impact, effort, strategic alignment).
- Role play: stakeholder pitching. Participants practise defending an idea under questioning from a mock stakeholder panel.
- Introduction to rapid prototyping mindsets: what a 'test' looks like in 24 to 48 hours.
- Activities: participants move ideas from Session 1 into prioritisation matrices and draft a 48 hour experiment.
- Deliverable: each participant leaves with one prioritized idea and a test plan.

Session 3 , Implementation & Scaling Ideation (2 hours)
- Objective: build systems for implementation and ongoing ideation.
- Core components:
- Implementation pipeline design: gating criteria, quick wins, and small batch pilots.
- Measurement: KPIs for ideation (idea velocity, pilot conversion rate, revenue/efficiency impact).
- Leadership behaviours: nudges, sponsorship, and creating cross functional sponsorship for pilots.
- Cultural reinforcement: micro practices to keep ideation alive (weekly 15 minute idea huddles, digital idea boards).
- Activities: creation of a 90 day ideation roadmap and a peer accountability plan.
- Deliverable: signed off roadmap and manager buy in checklist.

Optional face to face consolidation (1 full day)
- Purpose: accelerate team cohesion and run an extended ideation sprint with real stakeholders.
- Agenda highlights:
- 90 minute divergent sprint using mixed modalities (silent ideation, role switching, physical prototyping).
- Customer immersive session: rapid interviews and empathy mapping.
- Afternoon: prototyping, lightning demos, and 5 minute pitches to a cross functional judging panel.
- Outcome: 2 to 3 pilotable concepts with pilot owners and resources assigned.

Module breakdown and learning activities (detailed)
- Module A: Psychological Safety & Group Dynamics (30 to 45 mins)
- Learning aim: create the conditions for radical candour.
- Activities: trust building micro exercises; facilitator scripts for normalising risk.
- Tip: name the bias. Call out evaluation bias when it appears.

- Module B: Divergence Techniques (45 to 60 mins)
- Learning aim: master multiple divergence techniques , brainwriting, free writing, mind mapping, SCAMPER.
- Activities: timed challenges, whiteboard marathons, cross pollination rounds.
- Opinionated stance: silent brainwriting produces better breadth than talk based sessions in many teams. It also surfaces quieter contributors.

- Module C: Convergence & Prioritisation (45 to 60 mins)
- Learning aim: apply pragmatic filters and scoring systems.
- Activities: dot voting, weighted scoring, RICE scoring variant, stakeholder mapping.
- Note: encourage the use of both quantitative and qualitative filters , don't reduce everything to numbers.

- Module D: Prototyping & Experiment Design (45 mins)
- Learning aim: design small, fast tests that validate assumptions.
- Activities: experiment design templates, pre mortem, risk mapping.
- Practical tip: set an 80/20 fidelity rule , don't overbuild prototypes.

- Module E: Facilitation Mastery (30 to 45 mins)
- Learning aim: equip participants to run equitable sessions.
- Activities: facilitator playbook, scripting prompts, intervention techniques for dominant voices.
- Trainer notes: rotate facilitator roles , learning happens faster when you lead and critique.

- Module F: Embedding & Measurement (30 to 45 mins)
- Learning aim: design the ongoing system , cadence, governance, rewards, measurement.
- Activities: design your team's ideation calendar; build a simple dashboard template.
- KPI suggestions: idea velocity (ideas/week), pilot conversion (%), time to pilot (days).

Practical resources and materials
- Participant workbook: templates for brainwriting, SCAMPER prompts, prioritisation matrices, experiment planners.
- Facilitator toolkit: scripts, equity prompts, quick fixes for breakout room adversity.
- Technology stack: Zoom, Miro, Slack (for follow up), simple survey tool for pre/post assessments.
- Read ahead pack: one short article on cognitive bias, one case study of a successful ideation sprint, a two page primer on prototyping.

Facilitation notes & recommended pedagogy
- Rotate facilitators across exercises to build confidence.
- Use silent written contributions early to set breadth; follow with vocal iteration for richness.
- Encourage "yes, and…" building in some exercises, and "play devil's advocate" in structured slots , both are useful when managed.
- Keep breakout groups small (3 to 5) and intentionally mix roles and disciplines.
- Praise quantity early; quality later.

Diversity and inclusion considerations
- Intentionally invite cross functional representation: operations, customer service, finance, product, HR.
- Pre assign roles for quieter participants to ensure contribution (e.g., timekeeper, devil's advocate, synthesiser).
- Use anonymous idea capture options for those uncomfortable speaking up.
- Note: diverse groups produce better ideation outcomes; this is not a soft claim , it's practical.

Assessment, measurement and evaluation (detailed)
- Pre work diagnostic: baseline ideation capacity, psychological safety rating, and idea quality sample.
- Live assessment: roleplay scoring rubric (clarity, stakeholder empathy, feasibility, novelty) used during Session 2.
- Post programme survey: confidence measures, intended behaviours, immediate satisfaction.
- 8 week manager observation: checklist capturing frequency of idea generation behaviours and evidence of pilots launched.
- 90 day impact check: simple ROI calculation (time saved, cost avoided, revenue impact from pilots).
- Example metric pack:
- Input metrics: participants trained; sessions delivered; ideas submitted.
- Output metrics: ideas shortlisted; prototypes built; pilots launched.
- Outcome metrics: measurable Business impact (efficiency gains, revenue, NPS changes) where possible.

Coaching and follow up
- Peer coaching pairs established at close of session 3.
- Two optional 60 minute drop in clinics with facilitators at weeks 3 and 6 to unblock pilots.
- Suggested internal 'idea champion' role to keep momentum.
- Optional one on one coaching for managers to embed behaviours in team rituals.

Common challenges and mitigation tactics
- Loud voices dominate: use brainwriting, anonymous idea capture, or pre submitted idea rounds.
- Sessions run off the rails: strict timeboxing and visible agendas; facilitators should intervene early.
- No follow through: require signed pilot owners and simple resource commitments before the end of the programme.
- Low engagement in virtual format: mix modalities, include short energiser activities, keep sessions under 2 hours.

Two opinions you may disagree with (and why I still stand by them)
- Opinion 1: Silent brainwriting often yields better, more varied ideas than free for all shouting sessions. Why? It prevents anchor bias and gives space to quieter thinkers. Controversial , yes , but try it.
- Opinion 2: You don't need a $20k offsite to be creative. A disciplined, well facilitated half day with the right mix of people will beat a poorly run week long retreat most of the time.

Example 90 day implementation checklist (brief)
- Week 0: Prioritise and sign off pilots; secure micro budgets.
- Week 1 to 2: Run 48 hour experiments for top ideas.
- Week 3 to 6: Evaluate pilots; iterate or scale.
- Week 8: Manager observed behaviour check; update dashboard.
- Week 12: Consolidate wins; showcase results at town hall or cross functional forum.

Scaling this programme across an Organisation
- Train the trainer option: equip internal facilitators with our facilitator toolkit (3 day practicum).
- Create a central idea repository (simple wiki or Slack channel) with monthly curation of top ideas.
- Quarterly ideation showcase, sponsored by an executive to keep the governance loop tight.
- Budgeting approach: small pools of "rapid experimentation" funds granted on the strength of 48 hour test plans.

Logistics, cohort planning and sample budgets
- Cohort size: 12 to 18 ideal for deep engagement in virtual sessions; up to 24 for face to face with breakout support.
- Suggested facilitator ratio: 1 facilitator per 12 participants for hybrid delivery.
- Estimated per person cost for our model (incl. facilitation, materials, platform licences): $495 inc. GST (this is a sample constraint; final pricing varies).
- Room setup for face to face: flexible seating, whiteboards, sticky notes, prototyping materials; ensure natural light and movement space.

Evaluation instruments (sample items)
- Pre/post psychological safety scale (5 point Likert).
- Idea quality rubric (novelty, feasibility, user value, alignment).
- Facilitation competency checklist for internal trainers.

Closing note
This programme outline balances disciplined process with room for the serendipitous. It's pragmatic, intentionally so. We teach people how to create a repeatable ideation engine , not theatre. If you want to keep ideation as a once a year novelty, this isn't for you. If you want usable ideas and a pipeline that actually feeds your innovation agenda , that's the work.

Let's be clear about what generating creative ideas really means in practice. It's not magic. It's method.