A Better Brainstorm: Google-Style

I am constantly searching for better/different ways to brainstorm and thought this was a smart process by Google.

Fast Company article here.

My distilled version below for future reference.

3-step linear process for brainstorming new ideas and turning them into actual products:

#1 Know the user

• Go out in the field and talk to people. Collect users’ stories, emotions, and ideas. We watch, listen, and empathize— you need to relate to them.
• Too often brainstorm meetings have everyone in the room…except the user.

“There is no substitute for personally watching and listening to real people.” — Larry Page, CEO of Alphabet.

#2 Think 10x

• Try to improve something by 10 times rather than by 10%.
• Google example is Project Loon — the initiative for providing internet access to everyone: An incremental solution would be to install more fibers, whereas a “10x” idea is Project Loon — a network of balloons traveling on the edge of space, designed to connect people in rural and remote areas and help fill the hardest-to-reach gaps in coverage.
• Next step is to have all participants write down their ideas individually (5min each person — everyone gets post-it notes) before getting back together as a group and deciding which ones to pursue — this is essential, a pitfall I have experienced is when a brainstorm is open-ended and only the loudest/most extroverted team members speak, when that happens, groupthink occurs, and all your ideas keep getting stuck within a few people…over and over.
• Build on ideas. Focus on “yes&” instead of “no, but.”
• Do not judge ideas in the middle of brainstorming. Let the ideas grow.
• Quantity > quality. Don’t get stuck on an idea, keep moving.
• Write headlines (think magazine cover). Describe the idea in less than 6 words.
• Illustrate ideas.
• Have everyone vote (with their post-it notes) on favorite ideas. Select and go to next step.

#3 Prototype Now

• Build a quick prototype right away (do not schedule a follow up meeting and leave). Focus on answering the most immediate questions and test assumptions.

Video glimpse into the brainstorm process. May be viewed as a regular video or via your VR gear.