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Step-by-Step Idea Generation in Teams Capturing Ideas Wall Chart/Gallery Walk   Purpose: To collect ideas outside of the team meeting. To make use of the talents of the group without using meeting time. Time: Varies Equipment: Flipchart or poster and markers #1 On top of a flipchart sheet or poster write the problem statement. #2 Pin up the poster in a place where all team members will have access to it. #3 Instruct the members to write possible solutions on the chart, and let them know when you'll be taking the chart down. You can keep the charts up of an indefinite amount of time: i.e. hours, days, weeks or even months.       Routing Memo   Purpose: To collect ideas outside the team meeting. To reduce the amount of time in meetings Time: Varies Equipment: Idea Generation Routing Memo, See example below #1 In memo format write down the problem statement with a statement asking team members to generate solutions to the problem. #2 Route the same piece of paper to all relevant members in your team. #3 You may wish to repeat Step #2 several times to give the members a chance to incubate the solution and a chance to see other ideas from which to trigger new ones. Optional: You can use e-mail for this as well.   Collective Notebook   Purpose: To collect ideas outside the boundary of the team meeting. To make use of the talents of the group without using meeting time Time: Days/weeks Equipment: A spiral bound notebook or equivalent for each participant or the internet #1 Write a problem statement on the first page of the notebooks. #2 Hand out the notebooks to group members and provide them with clear directions for using the technique which follows. Assign a coordinator. #3 For a designated period (1-4 weeks), have each member write down at least one new idea every day. #4 At the end of the assigned period, have each member write a summary containing 1) their best idea, 2) ideas that may work but need further investigation, and 3) any new ideas that might be unrelated to the original problem. #5 The coordinator reviews the notebooks, categorizes the ideas and prepares a detailed summary of all the ideas. #6 All members receive a copy of the summary and are given access to all the notebooks. (optional) A group discussion can be held to discuss the ideas written in the notebooks. Alternative: Use the Internet For more processes and hardcopy of the above you can order Creative Collaboration