Methods of Generating Ideas

Focus Group

Focus groups used for initially screening ideas and concepts. Number of group members from 814. In depth discussion

Brainstorming

Brainstorming by using the spontaneous contributions of participants.

Brainstorming
A Group method for obtaining new ideas & solutions.

Rules should be followed

1) No criticism is allowed by anyone in the group. 2) Freewheeling is encouraged-wilder the idea the better it is 3) Quantity of ideas is desired- greater the no. of ideas the greater the likelihood of the emergence of useful ideas 4) Combinations and improvements of ideas are encouraged-ideas of others can be used to produce still another new idea Example: Bank to develop journal for
industrial client

Brainstorming
Spontaneous contribution of participants Problem statement-neither too broad nor too narrow NO group member should be expert in field of problem Ideas even if illogical, must be recorded Prohibit criticizing OR evaluating during BS session

Methods of Generating New Ideas. Focus group and brainstorming is different in the sense that FG is structured or moderated...while BS is not a debate or discussion like that....its people giving lots of ideas without criticism

Problem Inventory Analysis

Problem Inventory Analysis

Problem inventory. Here consumers are given a list of problems for a general product category.

Results must be carefully evaluated as they may not actually reflect a new business opportunity. Consumers associates particular problems with specific products & then develop a new product that do not contain the identified fault

Reverse brainstorming
A group method for obtaining new ideas focusing on the negative. Finding fault by asking questions in how many possible ways can the idea flop Maintain group morale Stimulate innovative thinking. Often involves identification of everything wrong with an idea- followed by discussion how to overcome these problems.

Brain-writing
It is a silent, written generation of ideas by a group of people. This sheet can b passed around on e-mail as well Pass the sheet around The only thing wrong with it is that there is no excitement of verbal discussion

Gordon method
Method for developing new ideas when the individuals are unaware of the problem. You dont give away too much detail about the problem Headline would be I wish there was something We could do about the bad colors in my TV screen Or Latest trends in fashion world

Checklist method
Developing a new idea through a list of related issues.

Free Association
First, a word or a phrase related to the problem is written down. Then, participants are free to associate anything to that word or phrase. This will then create chain of ideas without straying away from the topic. A word related to the problem is written down, then another, with each word adding something to the thought process

Attribute listing
This is an idea finding technique that requires the entrepreneur to list the attributes of an item or problem and then look at each from a variety of viewpoints

Big dream approach

Developing a new idea by thinking about constraints is big-dream approach of problem solving Every possibility should be recorded and investigated without regard to all resources required

Forced Relationships
Developing a new idea by looking at product combinations. Sometimes, this method will allow the entrepreneur to arrive at a particular concept which is a combination of two existing business concepts.

Collective Notebook
This is a very essential technique in entrepreneurship. There are ideas that we forget. Some of these ideas might just be the lucky one for us. In the collective notebook method, team members are required to regularly record ideas and observations. These ideas are summed up during the week.

Parameter analysis
Parameter analysis is developing a new idea by focusing on parameter identification and creative synthesis The relationship between parameters that describe the underlying issues is examined and a solution developed (creative synthesis.)