Brainstorming is one of the most commonly used group techniques for creative thinking or creative work with information, especially in the environment of organizations. However, it can also be used in education, school projects or anywhere where there is a need to find new solution. Brainstorming creates surprising solutions, processes and perspectives. This is where the whole technique is heading. It is not about identifying exact steps, evaluation or feasibility, but the surprise and novelty.

The procedure is straightforward:

• The group sits around a table with paper or around a whiteboard. The seating arrangement mustn't generate any privileged positions.
• A theme is established. If it is appropriate for the participants to have an insight into the topic, it is advisable to prepare some background material for them to study at home. All participants should be treated equally in this area.
• A brainstorming time is set - usually 15 to 25 minutes.
• A facilitator is identified - someone who writes down ideas and ensures
• Brainstorm
• There is an evaluation - this can be done by the facilitator, who typically summarises the activity and categorises the ideas. They will divide them into groups that can then be worked with further.
• Brainstorming is usually followed by some analytical activity, which results in ideas identified as potentially interesting or valuable being further developed.

The first thing you have to deal with is the topic. It is good to think about whether or not the chosen problem can be solved and advanced by this method. Highly expert problems or issues that will divide the group, and some will leave dissatisfied or disappointed, are not recommended. However, this does not necessarily mean avoiding controversial topics that will stir up discussion.

The method makes sense when the problem is complex; there is no simple rule of thumb, and the more ideas you can come up with, the better you can reach a decision. If you decide that collective intelligence can give you exciting ideas and insights, it is possible to start preparing. Similarly, only at this step is it worth using brainstorming for your own sake.

Another widely discussed part of this technique is working with the subject. It is thought that participants should be as familiar as possible with the topic in ordet to discuss it, and so that the whole process leads somewhere. Ideally, people should have studied it beforehand or have some natural awareness of it. he facilitator announces the topic, followed by a short exposition. This exposition is formative and can often be the key to a successful brainstorming session. Place it here to focus on a part of the issue.

The brainstorming itself is based on the fact that everyone can give their suggestions or ideas, with he facilitator writing them down on paper. There are no bad ideas which are not evaluated in principle at this stage. The facilitator can form thematic groups (write ideas in different places). And ask questions if necessary. Questioning is another tool that can be used to manage the flow of discussion very effectively. A certain amount of time must be set aside for the activity (for example, 20 minutes) and then the evaluation phase. If appropriate, a topic can again be selected in the brainstorming session.

Something to consider:

• The length of the activity (often 5-10 minutes is enough) is better to be shorter than longer. More can be done with a short time limit.
• The facilitator needs to be an experienced person who knows what they are doing, why, and where the flow of ideas is going. Ideally, this role should not be taken by the socially highest-ranked person in the room.
• The homogeneity of the group - is this an activity for a team that knows each other well or for strangers of different backgrounds? Both options have something to offer but having at least one person from outside the group is recommended.
• Group size - as with other team activities, around five people work best. If you have more people, it is possible to proceed in multiple groups, combining ideas in short follow-up brainstorms together later.
• Atmosphere - you need to nurture an open atmosphere. Should the atmosphere be too formal or one of the members holds too much authority, real brainstorming will not happen.

As simple as the technique may seem - participants say what comes to mind, and the facilitator writes it down - it can be demanding. So, if you want to brainstorm with a group that is challenging in some way, we highly recommend that you also choose an experienced facilitator.

A variant of brainstorming is brainwriting, which works similarly but is based on writing ideas down on paper. It is stated that the method is workable for 4-16 people, but it should be noted that it is already very lengthy for 16 people. It is recommended that groups should be split up (for example, in groups of eight) and then the results combined into a single unit.

The method aims to get the most varied and comprehensive picture of possible solutions While allowing participants to inspire each other. The advantage of writing can be greater concentration, but also that one does not focus on who is presenting the ideas but follows the content better. It is a more time-consuming but typically more concentrated method, generating usually more realistic but slightly less original solutions than conventional oral submissions

The procedure is usually as follows:

• The facilitator will introduce the topic. Exposure is essential in brainstorming because it influences the participants' ideas. A question usually gives the case.
• It would be best if you did not talk while writing. The facilitator has the first three possible solutions to the problem or answers to the question prepared in advance and placed in the middle of the table.
• Each participant has a card (usually A4 paper) on which they write their three solutions. Once they have written, they put the paper in the middle and take another one. If he puts it in first, he takes the one from the facilitator.
• Read the proposed solutions and write your next three. When finished, he puts the paper in the middle again and takes a new card.
• He must not take a card where the last three points are his.
• The activity ends within a set time limit - for example, after 45 minutes.
• Once it is written, the facilitator's work follows. The facilitator takes the individual papers and transcribes the solution on the board or large paper. They always read it and try to interpret it, or the understanding and accuracy of the proposal can be discussed.