Brainstorming is a long old technique used by various organisations. A good number of organisations turn to brainstorming sessions as a means of tackling imminent problem-solving issues. Others, even without being faced with any problem use brainstorming sessions to seek better ways of doing things.

When we all worked from the same physical workspace, it was easy to just tap a colleague on the shoulder and start picking their brains. With the new normal, a good number of teams are geographically separated.

Can brainstorming sessions still be effective even as we work remotely?

This article shares steps to effective brainstorming while working remotely.

Nail the Scope

To ensure the most effective use of people’s brainstorming effort, start by clearly defining the scope. State what will be discussed and most importantly, what will not be discussed.

Prepare the Participants

Participants should have enough information in order to be productive. Send out the topic and a clear overview of the goal/purpose of the brainstorm beforehand.

Keep Participants Engaged

Engagement is important for remote brainstorming sessions. Stick to the agenda & bring in some excitement.

A facilitator could be appointed.

Make it easy for others to collaborate

E.g., Prepare a brainstorm prompt screen. Set a time limit for the meeting.

Use digital tools to capture input

Live documents so all team members can be updated in real-time. Use collaborative tools and technology.

Don’t try to synthesize Live

Share out results in a wrap-up doc, deck

Wrap Up

Send a follow-up or brief recap of what you learned and don’t forget to thank your team for participating