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Analogy Brainstorm

Submitted by admin on Thu, 2005-12-08 07:01.
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Group facilitation methods: Idea Generating

Identification

Alternative names: 
Metaphors for ideas
Level of process: 
Method
Intent or purpose: 

To use analogies as a basis of generating ideas

Used as component of: 

Part of a workshop to break loose the thinking of the group. This can be used as an intervention when the group needs a boost when brainstorming.

Types of Participants: 
They need to be a little playful
Optimal amount of time needed: 
3 - 6 min.

Howto

Usual or Expected Outcomes: 
a list of ideas that are quite divergent from each other
Level of participation: 
high
Ideal Conditions: 
The group has a high need to generate creative ideas
Potential Pitfalls: 
It can fail if the group is not willing to take a few risks.
How is success evaluated: 
Divergent ideas
Type of Facilitator-Client Relationship: 
There needs to be a high level of trust.
Level of Difficulty to Facilitate: 
Facilitation skills required
Facilitator Personality Fit: 
Able to be playful
Setting and Materials: 
any
Resources Needed: 
none
Pre-Work Required: 
Think through possible analogies to use in the brainstorm
Procedures: 

1. State the focus question clearly and check to see that the participants understand it.

2. Divide the group into sub-groups

3. Assign each sub-group an analogy to brainstorm from. Examples of analogies are

--- a) A famous peope Carly Fiorina of HP, Steve Jobs of Apple, Mahatma Gandhi or Bill Gates of Microsoft.

--- b) How would nature deal with the issue such as ants, weather, or an ecosystem?

--- c) How would an other type of organization deal with the issue such as a monistary, the Mafia, a University, the military, etc.?

4. Give the groups time to brainstorm.

5. Have them report.

Follow-Up Required: 
A convergent exercise to process the ideas.
How flexible is the process?: 
very

Background

Developer: 
unknown
Derived from: 
Found in Jo Nelson's "Meeting Tools"
History of Development: 

unknown

Selected publications: 
References: 

Kaner, Sam with Lenny Lind, Catherine Toldi, Sarah Fisk and Duane Berger: Facilitator?s Guide to Participatory Decision-Making, New Society Press, 1996, p. 163.

License Model: 
Open
Website: 
http://ica-associates.ca/downloads/MeetingTools.pdf

Suppliers

Creators: 
Namesort iconCityCountry
VALDUSPort LouisMauritius
Trainers: 
Namesort iconCityCountry
CFI Syllab Inc.MontrealCanada
Creative Human Relations SolutionsFayetteville United States
Imaginal TrainingGroningenNetherlands
Learning MattersSingaporeSingapore
VALDUSPort LouisMauritius
Consultants: 
Namesort iconCityCountry
CFI Syllab Inc.MontrealCanada
Creative Human Relations SolutionsFayetteville United States
Imaginal TrainingGroningenNetherlands
Learning MattersSingaporeSingapore
VALDUSPort LouisMauritius
WebIQSilver Spring, Maryland United States
Supporters: 
Namesort iconCityCountry
Imaginal TrainingGroningenNetherlands
VALDUSPort LouisMauritius
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