- Curio is a powerful and easy-to-use brainstorming and project management application that promotes visual thinking for gathering and shaping your ideas, while managing all the notes and documents associated with your project. Curio's intuitive interface and tools encourage effective note gathering, research, and creative exploration.
- Download this Free Vector about Company employees planning task and brainstorming web template. Cartoon people sharing ideas and meeting, and discover more than 9 Million Professional Graphic Resources on Freepik.
- Curio 9 4 5 – Brainstorming And Project Management Apps
- Curio 9 4 5 – Brainstorming And Project Management Approaches
- Curio 9 4 5 – Brainstorming And Project Management Approach
We've mentioned the brainstorming, mind mapping, project managing notebook application Curio a few times before. The full version, Curio Professional, runs US$169.99, and the Standard version is US$119.99, both well worth it, in this blogger's opinion. Today, however, Curio announced a new Core Edition in the Mac App Store, with a tasty price of US$39.99. A divergent thinking tool for idea generation on a given subject in a limited period of time. Brainstorming is typically conducted in a facilitated session or workshop environment to stimulate creative thinking, to create novel or innovative solutions to a problem, and to introduce 'controlled chaos' into the thought process. It is the most widely used technique to cultivate ideas.
Meetings. Brainstorming sessions. They can go well – or be so boring and unproductive!
With these 13 brainstorming techniques, you can ensure your next brainstorming session includes:
- Diverse perspectives
- Balanced input from all attendees
- Freedom from judgment
- Only brainstorming, not analysis/planning
At the beginning of a project, you want to get as many ideas as possible out on the table for discussion. To achieve this goal, you must lead your group firmly through the process.
Use the 13 brainstorming techniques in this article to keep the talkers from talking, the judges from judging, and the tangenters from talking. Make everyone feel valued, heard, and free to offer even the silliest of ideas.
By creating a fun and productive environment in brainstorming meetings, you can rest assured you've examined every angle of a project.
1) Look Out for Anchoring
I put this concept first because it applies to all the subsequent steps/techniques.
As a leader, you know everyone on your team has value.
However, in most groups, a few people do all the talking. In brainstorming sessions, people tend to latch onto the first two (or few) ideas presented. Of course, the people who like to speak up in meetings don't have all the answers – but they get the lion's share of the attention.
This phenomenon, called anchoring, means groups don't benefit from a large variety of inputs (the whole purpose of brainstorming meetings, right?).
Worse yet, people can go off on tangents that don't address the root problem when the first people to talk bring up off-topic concerns.
2) Set a Reasonable Group Size
Remember the 'pizza rule' when planning brainstorming meetings.
If you couldn't share a single pizza among the attendees, you've included too many people. Experts say you should limit brainstorming sessions to 2-6 people.
Add more at your peril – and only if you have experience with brainstorming techniques for balancing multiple voices.
3) Invite the Right People
Akvis airbrush 6 0 637 16772 download free. Diversity creates success. Make sure the right people show up to your brainstorming sessions by avoiding the obvious clichés.
At 'team meetings,' everyone already knows each other – and may already have created unconscious consensuses about certain topics. Avoid this potential blind spot by including a variety of people from different teams.
However, don't stretch this idea too far. Include a critical mass of people who will actually work on this project.
For instance, you could create a meeting with three people from your team (with varying skills and statuses) and invite three others from outside departments.
4) Define a Clear Goal
You can keep your brainstorming group on-track by starting out with a simple exercise. Go around the circle and have each person define the problem.
Write down everyone's ideas on your whiteboard (or have someone take notes).
Next, have people shout out (one-at-a-time) suggestions for defining the problem more clearly. Keep using language to refine your goals until everyone agrees it covers all the bases.
Finally, have your team members suggest ways to say the same thing in as few words as possible.
5) Create Positive Goals
Once you have a clear and concise goal in mind, have your team define it in the most positive terms.
You can even do this for all sub-goals in your discussion.
This method works especially well with the Flower Outline brainstorming technique I describe later in this article.
For example, if your goal is to 'reduce global warming,' you could reframe this objective as 'provide green energy alternatives.'
Not only does this method help you present your ideas in a more appealing way, it takes you through an essential mental process. It can be easy to identify pain points and what consumers don't want.
The next step is to define what they do want – your often-elusive USP (Unique Selling Proposition). By turning negative goal statements into positive ones, you're asking, 'What can we do to solve this problem?'
6) Share Ideas in Writing
Many brainstorming groups have untapped potential. Instead of letting a few people do all the talking, have everyone put their ideas in writing.
At the beginning of your meeting, introduce (or define) your goal.
When it's time to suggest potential solutions and strategies, tell your group to put it in writing – in only 2 minutes. This alone will help people who 'think by talking' to organize their thoughts.
By limiting the amount of time people have to write, you can hold back verbose people and give shy people a shot.
Yes, you can simply ask everyone to read out their own ideas.
However, take one more essential step: Have people exchange their papers (or laptops) and reach each other's statements.
This way, every voice is heard – and people can resist the temptation to accept the ideas of the most compelling speakers.
7) Play Team-Building Games
The key to team-building games is striking the right balance of fun and productivity. For some teams, games lighten the mood in meetings and build trust. For others, they can feel too silly.
If your team is on the serious side, try the All Adrift game; nothing is more serious than survival, right?
If your team likes to have fun, use the Hole Tarp game to keep the adrenaline pumping (and people awake) during long brainstorming meetings.
To facilitate interaction between team members, use the Barter Puzzle game. In this fun activity, your team splits up into small groups and put puzzles together. The trick is, you've put a few pieces from each puzzle in the 'wrong boxes.' Each small group will need to 'barter' with the others to get the pieces it needs to complete its puzzle.
8) Play Brainstorming Games
People love to have fun – and engage their senses. Mood boards (just one of the many brainstorming games out there) add visual stimulus and structure to brainstorming sessions.
Your group can create mood boards online (via Pinterest, etc.).
However, it's fun to get hands-on.
Have people take pictures of things with their phones (ahead of the meeting). Have a few wireless printers available at your meeting site for real-time cut and paste. Get those images up on your board fast – and with a creative spirit. (Upbeat music makes a great addition to this activity.)
Once you've filled up your board, take a moment to sit back and just look at it.
After a few minutes, ask people what they see.
- What colors stand out?
- What themes arise?
- What people, places, and things feel the most compelling?
9) Lead Creativity Exercises
One popular creative exercise involves role playing. Write the names of various celebrities/characters on your white board, and have your team determine how each would solve the problem.
- For example, would Steve Jobs solve a problem differently than Steve Harvey?
- Would Batman take a different approach than Wonder Woman?
- Would Angela Merkel advise you differently than Angela Lansbury?
By imagining how others would deal with an issue, your attendees can set aside assumptions and offer more creative solutions.
10) Create a Simple Flower Outline
With a flower diagram, you can identify many aspects of a project. Leaders use this method to lend structure and balance to meetings – and provide an engaging visual aid.
- Draw a small circle in the middle of your white board (or use a flower diagram printout). Write the core objective of your project in this circle.
- Ask your team to shout out the various aspects of your project. Draw flower petals around the edge of your circle and write your team's suggestions inside each petal.
- Once your group has thought of 5-10 petals, draw circles for each idea. These circles (which will start new flowers of their own) can take up the rest of the white space surrounding your original flower.
- Label these new circles to match the petals of the original flower.
- Ask your team to brainstorm petals for each of these new circles.
Use this method to keep your group from anchoring on one or two ideas and neglecting other aspects of the project. For example, if the big talkers in your group focus on the technological and manufacturing aspects of this project, solicit input from sales, marketing, and customer service people.
11) Change Your Environment
Remember one of the most effective (but easily overlooked) brainstorming tools: location.
Hold your meeting at a park, in a restaurant, or even on the roof of your building. Expand your team's horizons – literally.
Get people out of the workplace and into the wild.
Whether you're meeting on a mountaintop or at a McDonalds, get people into the new situations that stimulate creativity, insight, and vision.
Not only will this help your team brainstorm better solutions, it'll give them a welcome break from the mundane. (This technique works especially well when people see brainstorming meetings as rewards for hard work.)
12) Be Willing to Walk Away Empty-Handed
Sometimes, your brainstorming sessions just won't result in any great ideas. Don't be discouraged. Remember, your group can continue its efforts with any number of online brainstorming tools.
If you're stuck (and don't want to settle for half-baked ideas), schedule another meeting.
Try another of the techniques I've mentioned in this article.
Set the meeting for another day of the week.
Fail forward, expect the best, and you'll find the droid (oops, I mean) ideas you're looking for.
13) Make Brainstorming a Regular Activity
When you learn to do it right, brainstorming will become a popular activity around your office. Your team members will look forward to these breaks from the daily grind.
Make brainstorming a regular part of your workflow.
Of course, you need to get creative at the beginning of projects – but also when you get stuck.
Whenever you run across a stumbling block, give a person (or a small group) the privilege of a short brainstorming session. Use Toggl's time tracking app to make sure people spend the right amount of time on these tasks.
By creating fun and productive environments in which all employees can be heard, you'll improve team morale – and dramatically improve your project outcomes!
You can brainstorm using the usual collaboration tools like VoIP, chat and project management software. Sure, they let you communicate anywhere and anytime, but these are not designed primarily to follow and correlate ideas. For that, there are brainstorming apps and mind mapping software designed to juice out the best ideas for execution.
If you're new to this software type–or running brainstorming sessions–you're better off trying a free tool to walk you through the exercise. We have prepared a list of the best free brainstorming tools that we believe will help you consolidate ideas and flesh out a clear output. Most of these are SaaS small business apps, so manage your expectations if you have enterprise-level requirements.
We will be highlighting the features that make each of these unique, so you can pick the best one for you. Also, you'll be able to distinguish the free apps from each other. Some of them are designed for solo use, while others are for collaboration. Some put emphasis on mind mapping, while others on mobility.
Brainstorming can be done both in groups and as an individual. It is a creative problem-solving technique that is very forgiving. Participants throw out ideas that can be a little off the wall hoping to find a very ingenious solution. These can be just reigned in later. But whether you do it with others or yourself, it is preferable to have a board or even toys to play with–tools that will help you think in more abstract ways. The brainstorming area should also be accommodating and the atmosphere light. This is something that a good yet free brainstorming app help recreate.
Many of us who brainstorm with others use a board to jot down ideas. We pin pictures, charts, and notes. We even draw shapes, make graphs, diagrams, and connect them with arrows. This instinct to scribble, post, and connect concepts is catered to by digital brainstorming aids with collaborative workspaces. They range from digital whiteboards to mind maps. These are also pretty useful even when you brainstorm alone.
It is good to note that some researchers and professionals find solo brainstorming is better. Many believe that group brainstorming is just a waste of time. But then again, this depends upon the situation. If you ask us, it really depends upon who you are with and what the brainstorming session is for. There is no categorical answer.
Group brainstorming tools are, in essence, a subtype of collaboration software. They usually come with admin controls, access roles, and a shared dashboard. Just like individual online brainstorming tools, you can access them from your browser or through an app using multiple devices. In this way, you can collaborate with different people wherever and whenever you need them. Individual brainstorming platforms will have similar useful tools that group brainstorming ones except for a collaboration function. You can do your brainstorming alone and just share it with others later.
10 Best Free Brainstorming Software
1. Mindmeister
Mindmeister is a mind map-based collaborative brainstorming tool. The free version allows you to collaborate with an unlimited amount of people but you only get 3 mind maps. The collaboration feature is included but if you want more mind maps and features, you have to upgrade to a paid plan. The free version allows you to store designs and files such as PDFs. Your maps on Mindmeister get updated in real-time across all devices. It is also accessible to other users allowing for a real collaborative brainstorming session.
The free version seems to be okay for a limited time as you can only have 3 mind maps. But if you don't have many projects, you can just reuse the maps you already have.
Should you want to upgrade, the best plan for teams (and individual use) is said to be the Pro plan that costs $8.25 per user a month. It includes custom themes for maps and export options. This allows for multiple team members and seems to be perfect for small to medium teams.
Key Features of Mindmeister
- Real-time collaboration
- Mind map-based UI
- Three free mind maps
2. Coggle
Coggle is another brainstorming tool for mind map enthusiasts. The free version allows for collaboration and is perfect for occasional brainstorming. It also includes unlimited image uploads, unlimited public diagrams, and full change history. The user interface and graphics are neatly designed. It even includes multiple starting points so you and your team can map several related topics in a single space. Not only that you can add images and floating text, but you can also add branches and loops to model advanced relations and processes.
Its free version may be enough for occasional brainstormers who want real-time collaboration. There is no harm in trying.
Once you're ready to scale, the Awesome plan (personal and professional version) starts at $5 per month. It allows for a larger degree of customization like more control on line paths. It also includes more item shapes.
Key Features of Coggle
- Mindmap tool
- Unlimited public diagrams
- Real-time collaboration
3. Lucidchart
Online brainstorming is all about visual communications. One way to get ideas across is through charts and diagrams.LucidChart is an excellent way to build these visuals. What's also cool about it is that you build charts with data. Yes, you can import and even connect live data for your diagrams. But, its free version is only available for an individual. This means, the free tool, is essentially an individual brainstorming platform. Collaborative features are only available for paid plans. Although this is the case, you get access to a free shape library and access to all templates.
The available templates are useful in a wide array of business processes from IT to sales. If you are in project management, you can create a Gantt chart. If you are in product management, you can build website mockups. LucidChart integrates well with Jive, Google Drive, and Atlassian Confluence.
The Pro plan for single users costs $9.95 per month paid quarterly.
Key Features for Lucid Chart
- Free templates
- Build charts with data
- Easy to use
- Build complex diagrams
4. Mind42
Mind42 is another collaborative visual thinking platform. The name is not pronounced as 'mind forty-two' instead it refers to the collaborative function as intended to be pronounced as 'mind for two'. The platform is totally free and fully runs on your browser. Maybe one downside is that it is ad-supported. It is not like other free platforms that prefer donations to keep them afloat.
The platform allows you to create private mind maps by default. You can create nodes and connect them with arrows. Each object can be labeled and you can even add pictures. Also, you can add shapes and links as well. The user interface is not the prettiest one out there though. There is much left to be desired in this department. But, if you are looking for something functional and browser-based, there is no harm in trying it out.
You can collaborate with people by allowing them to edit your maps. You also have the option to share your maps publicly for the world to view and even export it in several file formats.
Key Features of Mind42
- Straightforward user interface
- Export to files
- Collaborate via invites
5. Popplet
For personal brainstorming use, the free version of Popplet might be enough. It is a straightforward application that, as many other brainstorming tools online are, is mind mapping-based. It is targeted at students, educators, and businesses. The user interface is very straightforward with drag-and-drop controls. It also has a corresponding app which is only exclusive to Apple users. If you are on Android, you can still access it via your browser but there is no app for it.
Essentially, Popplet is a mind mapping tool perfect for people who prefer maps than any other method. But, if you want a more flexible application, this may not be for you. However, collaboration is pretty easy to do with the tool. If you are an educator, for example, you can let the class participate in digital activities. Students can create presentations using the materials that were brainstormed in Popplet. There are many uses for it. Your creativity is the limit.
Key Features of Popplet
- Real-time collaboration
- Easy to use
- Light user interface
- Drag and drop controls
6. Stormboard
Stormboard is an online brainstorming software and more. In its free version, it is a powerful brainstorming software for individuals and a small team. You can access it using any browser, no installation required. It features an infinite canvas for a single storm (AKA workspace) so you never run out of space. Also, there are templates that you can choose from but you can, of course, start from scratch. Your team will be able to put up ideas on whiteboards and use sticky notes. You can add files, texts, and even videos among other media. Plus, it is very easy to use.
The Personal plan is great for individuals and small groups. It includes 5 open storms and 5 users per Storm. This means you can invite a total of 20 people; four different collaborators for each storm. Furthermore, you are able to assign tasks and even get your team to vote on ideas. It is also integrated withcommunications software.
Premium plans include advanced reporting, unlimited storms, live co-editing onOffice 365, and multiple administrators among others.
Key Stormboard Features
- Easy to use
- Instant meeting notes
- Built-in business processes (templates)
7. Wisemapping
Wisemapping is a completely free open-source software being used for brainstorming. The overall concept centers around mind mapping on private and public workspaces. Like other apps featured here, Wisemapping is completely web-based. And, like what the name suggests, its also mainly a mind mapping tool that people use for brainstorming. What's great about this platform is it is totally free and can make complex mind maps. There is also a vibrant user community for knowledge support. The user interface though is not the best out there. Even so, it is a straightforward platform.
Another nice thing about it is that you can embed it in blogs or on any webpage. You can also post a link to it in yourproject management tools and invite colleagues to brainstorm with you. It is basically a collaborative mind mapping tool and if you like your brainstorming strictly done in a mind map environment and forever free, Wisemapping is your bet.
Key Features of Wisemapping
- Forever free
- Open-source
- Private and public workspaces
8. Conceptboard
Curio 9 4 5 – Brainstorming And Project Management Apps
Conceptboard is a collaborative digital workspace that teams can use for brainstorming. It features an unlimited workspace that can house the ideas that your team comes up with. It mainly features a whiteboard-based interface. Its free version allows for unlimited users and boards for an unlimited period of time. The only limit is that you can only put 50 objects on each board. Also, it allows for a 500MB file storage with a 10MB max upload size.
Curio 9 4 5 – Brainstorming And Project Management Approaches
You and your team can draw, add sticky notes, shapes, and mark content on these cloud-hosted boards. This means your boards are accessible via any device provided you have an internet connection. Furthermore, the whiteboards expand as you add content as well. You can even add screenshots, documents, and images too. Also, it supports different file types not limited to PDF, PPT, and JPEG files. With these plus its intuitive UI, Concenptboard makes collaborative brainstorming easier.
Integrations include Dropbox andSalesforce Chatter among others. Paid plans start at $7 per user per month. They include additional features such as audio and video calls, screen sharing, and history. Some enterprise Conceptboard users are SIEMENS, Oracle, and Wiley.
Key Features of Conceptboard
- Whiteboard-based interface
- Intuitive UI
- Real-time collaboration
- Unlimited users, unlimited boards
9. Miro
Miro, formerly calledRealtimeBoard, still retained a whiteboard-based user interface but built more features around its original product. Now, Miro has more features for ideation and brainstorming. Miro affords you and your team an infinite canvas where each participant can use. It includes popular brainstorming tools like mind mapping, affinity map, and a ‘5 whys' feature. Plus there are 50+ templates that you can choose from. The free plan includes unlimited team members with 3 editable boards. Unlike other free versions of other platforms, Miro's free offering includes real-time collaboration for teams.
The platform also allows you to use sticky notes, draw freeform, and use shapes among others. The free version comes with core integrations including OneDrive and even Trello among others.
Paid plans include premium features such as private board sharing, projects, and unlimited boards. These advanced plans are priced starting from $8 per user per month billed annually. Miro users include professionals from companies like Netflix, Logitech, and Upwork.
Key Features of Miro
- Embedded video, commenting & chat
- Mouseover collaboration
- Mind mapping feature
- Affinity map module
10. Milanote
Milanote is targeted mainly for creative professionals but marketers and UI designers enjoy using it too. If you are a designer, illustrator, or photographer, Milanote could be the best brainstorming tool for you. It can be both an individual and group brainstorming platform. You can collect your ideas in it and even track your progress. Creative teams love Milanote's online whiteboard capability.
The main idea is that you start out with a private board that you can use to explore your creativity. You can drag and drop files and have access to many read-made templates. When done, you can share your work with your team or clients. Sharing options include read-only links and secret links. Also, the boards you share contain commenting tools for easy feedback. You will able to access the platform using any browser from any device because it is cloud-based.
The free version includes unlimited boards but they are limited in terms of notes, images, and links. You only get a hundred but a hundred can be enough. You also get free 10 file uploads.
The paid plan costs $9.99/user/month billed annually. It includes everything in the free plan only you get unlimited notes and upload files. Plus, you get to search boards & contents as well.
Key Features of Milanote
- Dozens of built-in templates
- Real-time sync between devices
- Simple commenting tools for discussion
- Track tasks with a to-do list
Best Free Brainstorming App for Different Needs
So, what is the best free brainstorming platform for you? Certainly, it depends on what you need it for. For example, if you are a creative professional, Milanote might just fit your purpose. It offers a whiteboard-based workspace where you can build mock-ups and improve on your designs. If you are an educator, Popplet can be a good tool to facilitate brainstorming and reporting for your students. Do you work in a team? Stormboard or Miro may capture how a real-time collaborative brainstorming session for you. If you are a mindmap enthusiast, free tools such as Mind42 and Wisemapping may just do the trick.
But, if you have a general need for a brainstorming app and want one that is robust yet flexible, we recommend Mindmeister. It allows for solo and collaborative brainstorming and scales to premium features. Furthermore, its visualizations lend to your brainstorming stunning presentations, plus it has a built-in project management feature (premium) should your concept exercise turns to a full-blown, high-value initiative.
Meantime, it is good to note that if you really want to stick with free plans and apps, you can also use a platform stack. What we mean by this is that you improve communications in your real-time workspace collaboration by having avideo conferencing software up as well.
Curio 9 4 5 – Brainstorming And Project Management Approach
There are many studies and differing views out there about brainstorming. Interestingly, one that should catch your attention though is that some have foundonline brainstorming to be better than an in-person session. The reasons for this can include shyness, scarcity of tools, and access to proper information. Some people are understandably shy. Therefore, they contribute in the best way they can when they can be anonymous. Some people contribute better when they have visual tools and have access to information (the internet). Virtual brainstorming is not the best way to move forward with everything. Also, it is not for everyone. But, it might help you from time to time depending on your tasks. Bloom 1 0 294 download free. So, try one or more applications presented above if you would like to see whether virtual brainstorming is effective for you.
