Smart Rooms and Idea Parties - Think Better Together!

Brainstorming is Evolving - Fast! - The rules are changing and we now have new and faster ways to brainstorm, analyze, and prioritize. Here are some basics for planning a smart room and having Idea Paries.

Create a Smart Room - Start having Idea Parties!

Have lots of White Space - These are large areas where people can draw, and play.

Comfortable Moveable Tables and Chairs - Give people a chance to combine and recombine in as many ways as they desire in sessions.

Use Large Rolls of Paper - We like lined paper or large graphic paper. Encourage drawing, visualizing, Apply paper freely

Have Lots of Markers - Have both kinds available those for writing on white boards, and those for writing on paper. Use colors freely. Encourage exploration.

Use Hexagons - There are two types: magnetic hexagons are moveable on magnetic white boards. Team members can move them about combining them with other hexagons, adding to the discussion. Paper Hexagon are also quite useful. These are like sticky notes, only better. Get the large ones - 6 inches across are ideal.

Make Use of Clickers! - They can really help with the hard part - prioritizing your team’s work. Learn your clicker software so that it’s second nature. It’s important that this is seamless.

Use the Internet - Find a brainstorming program you like, learn it and stick with it. Electronic brainstorming is a great way to get real brainstorming, without judgements started.

Use Digital Cameras - Record your diagrams, priorities and pas these around.

Use Flip Charts - Be careful about relying solely on them. There are undiscussed norms at play about how we all use flip charts, and some of these norms hinder effective brainstorming (e.g.the leader becomes the scribe).

Work in Disciplined Spurts with a Lot of Intensity - After your list - challenge your ideas - work very hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. This is a learning process for most teams.

Celebrate! Enjoy Each Other and Encourage Sharing - Show outsiders, invite them to your idea party!

Make your Smart Room Portable - Make a kit with a number of things that set your team and your culture on fire. Make Idea Parties a Competency!