IDEA WRITING: Method
Ideal setting for use: a large conference on a major issue (say renewal of blighted inner-city housing stock), which has attracted groups with different backgrounds -whenever there's a large pool of diverse talents and expertise, and a variety of viewpoints available for tapping. With this technique, using only ONE conference session (60 or 90 minutes), the conference organizers can capture the ideas of everyone attending the conference, and capture these ideas in writing (which means that they have them for the record and for post-conference reports and the like). Every attendee has his or her say, and gets largely supportive land helpful comments from his or her small [work] group. The conference steering committee thus has access to the ideas, feelings and thinking of all attendees, as a database to use in preparing reports and decisions.
Idea writing is an idea generation technique that focuses the thinking and expertise of a large group, without the risk of generating the negative group dynamics that generally occur when large groups discuss a complex and/or controversial issue in plenary session. Idea writing focuses on a single topic and takes a relatively short time. It achieves this focus and brevity by using nominal groups (see below) of 3-4, or 5-6 persons (see below) and restricting itself to the generation of ideas. However, it produces full written records on the background to the ideas which it generates. These ideas are based on the co-construction of options by the groups, whose individual members take into account, and build on, suggestions, additional information and criticisms from the entire nominal group in developing their own proposals.
IDEA WRITING: Assumptions
Some group goals, especially those involving idea generation via writing and criticism of that writing, are more likely to be achieved by nominal groups, that is, by individuals working independently and in silence in what are only nominally groups. People work harder in groups and for group goals, spurred by team spirit. Exchange of ideas, knowledge, expertise and positive and negative comments occurs only in writing in idea writing groups (hence the name). But group members are working together, on a clearly defined task, with equal opportunity and responsibility for everyone to express ideas, supportive input and constructively critical comment, in writing, to everyone else in the group. Situations where use of the idea writing technique is appropriate
Idea writing was designed for use by large groups, when there's limited time for discussion but contributions by all members of the group are desired. It saves time by employing nominal groups, in which everyone is writing simultaneously and in silence, exchanging their thoughts. By breaking the overall group up into work groups of 3-4 persons (exercise takes 50-60 minutes) or 5-6 (exercise takes 70-90 minutes, but generates more ideas and fuller commentaries), the entire operation can be conducted in one regular conference session/slot. Essentially, this technique enables a facilitator -who will require a couple of assistants- to conduct a group writing session with anything from 40 to 100 people, within a standard conference-session time frame.
Idea writing sessions are only possible with persons who are willing (which means able and not afraid) to express themselves in writing. Some technique like De Bono's "Six Hats" technique (a variant is provided in this textbook) MUST be employed. Criticism must be accompanied by supportive and appreciative comment -and this must be made VERY clear to everyone before the exercise commences -otherwise there will be little generation of ideas and many conference participants will refuse to co-operate. (Provision of supportive comment along the lines indicated by the Six Hats procedure makes participating in the group an exhilarating experience, and results in an outpouring of well-thought-through ideas).
IDEA WRITING: Observations
It's unlikely that the nominal groups will be able to RANK their ideas within the above time frame: committee-style discussion takes longer than nominal group writing activities. Realistically, what's likely to happen is that, after the session, each group member will work, independently in private, over the comments on his or her ideas, developing those ideas while doing so. Then he or she will select the best idea(s). Then all group members will attend a pre-arranged private meeting of their group and generate a list of best ideas for submission to the conference organizing committee, or whatever group or session is waiting for the nominal groups' input.
If it's desired to rank ideas, use of a cross-impact matrix will make it possible to do so in an impartial and impersonal way, retaining the group bonding which is likely to have developed. So the facilitator should provide such matrices for use by those groups as wish to use them (groups probably won't see the point of, or ask for, these matrices until the end of the idea writing groups session). It's usually best to ask only ONE question of the meeting/groups in the meeting. Group members already have to respond to ideas under SIX categories of response, with the possibility that each respondent may have provided several ideas, or -more likely- one good idea and several fragmentary mini-ideas. (Hence the recommendation to respondents that they should respond the major idea first, and to the others only if they have time). It will save time, and increase effectiveness of response, if group members are encouraged to use a technique like mind mapping (if they are conversant with this advance organizer). They can make one mind map to record all their commentators' comments under 'hat' no. 1, then all comments under hat no. 2, and so on. Then they've got all factual information (white hat) on page 1, all hunches & intuitions (red hat) on page 2, and so on. Then they can put all the best contributions into another, seventh, separate summing-up mind map. From this it should be quickly possible to write up their revised idea, incorporating all the best ideas on it that have come out of the group's comments.
Idea writing is a complex procedure; but it generates a considerable number of well-thought-through ideas, with supporting commentary and in writing. So it can be very useful for post-conference reports by the association's executive. Our experience, with this version of the technique, has been positive. It's advisable to allow for secretarial, printing and mailing costs while costing up the conference, if a report based on idea group input is anticipated, as the groups generate a LOT of ideas and supporting documentation.
IDEA WRITING: Computer format
A computerized format for deploying the idea writing technique You don't HAVE to assemble a group in a given place and at a given time to conduct an idea writing brainstorming session. As long as all the parties are on-line, they can be at different locales and contribute at different times. Simply send the first 'page' by E-mail first.
If all parties have access to the same file server, you can use a computer program to generate ideas, each participant interacting with it as well as with the input provided by the other participants. The Idea Generator Plus (IBM environment) provides coaxing to set out the problem, 7 idea-generating techniques, and a step by step review of benefits, consequences and costs likely to review from the ideas generated. In the Macintosh environment, Idea Fisher, from Fisher Idea Systems, and MindLink, from MindLink Inc., provide analogous idea and assessment generating prompting frameworks (the former is meant for generating ideas for product names, titles, titles, advertising slogans and so forth; the latter, for developing programs or strategies). Alternatively, participants could one of the books which provide idea generating questions and frameshifting problems or statements: R. von Oech's Kick in the Seat of the Pants is a good example, and is sensitive to learning styles.
IDEA WRITING: Evaluation
Evaluating and ranking ideas produced by IDEA WRITING If it's desired to rank ideas, use of a cross-impact matrix will make it possible to do so in an impartial and impersonal way, retaining the group bonding which is likely to have developed. So the facilitator should provide such matrices for use by those groups as wish to use them (groups probably won't see the point of, or ask for, these matrices until the end of the idea writing groups session). In practice, it may be best to have the organizers of the idea writing session conduct the assessment of ideas. The groups are best employed in idea generation and development, and will likely take all the time available to do just that. Idea destruction will take time, and the group will have to switch to another frame of mind to do it. The idea writing procedure leaves an ample paper trail from which to assess the ideas it generates.
If it is desired to develop a brainstorming group, each session would be better ended by praxis_by having members of the group analyze what they have just learned about their problem sensing and solving skills and their learning and problem solving styles, metacognitive strategies_and future developmental needs. Such post mortems are all important in developing awareness and systematically building on that learning.
Moore, C.M., Group Techniques for Idea Building, Sage, 1987.
de Bono, E., Six Thinking Hats, Key Porter Books, Toronto, 1985 (de Bono's Lateral Thinking: A Textbook of Creativity, Ward Lock International, 1970, sets out his basic concepts, which are further developed in his later works).
von Oech, R. Kick in the Seat of the Pants, Harper & Row, NY/Fitzhenry & Whiteside, Toronto, 1986.
Idea Writing Template
Ideawriting
A technique for focusing the expertise of a large group on idea generating and problem solving by writing, via a process which largely eliminates the risk of negative group dynamics. First page -instructions page- to go on top of pad that each participant is to write his/herinitial idea(s) on:
Name
: Issue on which idea(s) sought:
Instructions:
Step 1: Initial response
Use this worksheet
Write your name at the top
Respond in writing, in the response section below.
Set out one or more ideas
Work quickly, silently and independently
Step 2: Written interaction
After completing step 1, and after all worksheets have been placed in the centre of the table, select a worksheet other than your own, read it, and respond by writing additional comments. Review each idea in terms of EACH of the '6 hats' in turn, indicating clearly under which 'hat' each set of comments is entered.
2. If there are more than one ideas in a pad, respond first to the one which you deem most promising. If time permits, respond to any other ideas by priorizing them and responding to the highest priority one(s) first_in terms of each of the 6 hats, as in (1) above.
2. Repeat until everyone has commented on everyone else's idea(s) or until time expires, whichever comes sooner. Response:
SIX HATS TECHNIQUE
A 'Thinking Tool': The 'Six Hats' technique for inducing a heuristic dialectic adapted from De Bono's "Lateral Thinking" Approach Some notes on the mind-set to adopt to get the best results from using this approach: Each 'hat' is an approach to be taken in reviewing the material before you, a way of relating to it and responding to it. Please adopt a 'PMI' attitude to each statement or idea considered, to help you change 'hats'.
What's PMI? ù PLUS -what are the positive aspects in this suggestion? ù MINUS -what are its negative aspects, what's its downside? ù INTERESTING -I can't quite to see how to use this part of this idea, but it's interesting . . .
DETAILS OF THE SIX HATS TO BE USED IN THE APPROACH
WHITE: Add information to the ides/suggestion for the author to consider: provide any facts or figures that you, though maybe not the author, are aware of. Also advise his or her about further information that you can see will be required.
RED: Adding ideas: express your feelings, hunches, intuitions. Include thoughts that you have even if you can't at the moment think why you have them or how they fit in (premonitions, subcepts, that sort of thing).
BLACK: Counselling caution: this is the logical critique. Indicate what you see the possible flaws, shortcomings, problems, unanticipated (by the author) side- effects or spin-offs.
YELLOW: DEVELOPING the author's ideas for him or her: indicate what you see as the logical extensions of or additions to or other enhancements of the author's ideas/suggestions.
GREEN: BRAINSTORM: "What if . . .?" kind of ideas. New ideas, potential add-ons, spin-offs and so on. Challenge the author to develop his or her ideas.
BLUE: Overview of what you see as the essence of the idea.suggestion: What's good about it? What special contribution could it make in its context? Remember: the idea is to give the person on whose ideas you are commenting positive, constructive support, along weith constructive criticism. Don't show how clever you are; show how helpful you can be and how much you appreciate the ideas that other is trying to provide for your mutual benefit.