Method guide · Work with a structured grid
Ideastorms
Use to collect an unevaluated list of ideas while keeping criticism and feasibility discussion for a later stage.
- People
- 5–15
- Base procedure time
- 30 minutes
- Recording
- Shared record
Purpose: Generate ideas.
English guide
Text acceptance is not approval of this rendered page, its media, or publication.
How this method works
Separate criticism into a later stage and add ideas to a shared list as people say them. Display the topic in one sentence and confirm that evaluation, debate and feasibility judgements come after idea generation. Participants contribute short phrases; one or two recorders write simultaneously, or everyone posts one idea per sticky note. Do not remove similar or unfinished ideas. When rereading, fill only omissions using the contributor’s own words. End with an unevaluated idea list, duplicates included, and pass it to the next stage. Do not use this for emergency responses where merely voicing an incorrect idea could cause an accident, or for a topic whose list cannot be shared within the necessary scope.
Phase schedule
Minutes are cumulative from the start of the base plan, not a live timer. Read scaling for any additional time. Phase controls do not advance automatically.
Use the arrow keys, Home or End while these controls have focus. The complete phase schedule remains below, including without JavaScript.
- Present the topic for ideas0–3 minutes from the start (3 minutes)
Action: Present. Participation: Small group around the idea list.
Shared record
- Separate generation from evaluation3–6 minutes from the start (3 minutes)
Action: Separate. Participation: Small group around the idea list.
Shared record
- Raise and record ideas simultaneously6–21 minutes from the start (15 minutes)
Action: Raise. Participation: Small group around the idea list.
Shared record
- Read the list and fill omissions21–26 minutes from the start (5 minutes)
Action: Supplement. Participation: Small group around the idea list.
Shared record
- Pass duplicates onward for evaluation26–30 minutes from the start (4 minutes)
Action: Pass. Participation: Small group around the idea list.
Shared record
Facilitation steps
- For 3 minutes, state the topic for the ideas in one sentence and display it where everyone can see it.
- For 3 minutes, confirm that criticism, debate and feasibility evaluation will take place after idea generation.
- For 15 minutes, participants contribute ideas as short phrases and the recorder writes each one as it is spoken.
- For 5 minutes, reread the list and fill omissions or correct differences in meaning using the contributor’s own words.
- For 4 minutes, end idea generation without removing duplicates and pass the list to the next stage for evaluation.
If something changes
If
At the 10-minute point from the start, fewer than 3 ideas have been recorded.
Then
Stop explaining and evaluating individual ideas. Return to generating ideas in short phrases and recording them.
If
Criticism or feasibility evaluation starts at least once while ideas are being raised.
Then
Move that evaluation to a field for later consideration, then return to adding ideas for the remaining time.
If
At least 3 people speak at the same time and the recorder cannot capture at least one idea.
Then
Receive one sentence at a time, read the recorded idea back to its contributor, then invite the next idea.
Preparation
Materials
- Large sheets for ideas: one per group
- Broad-tip pens: 2 per group
- If using sticky notes: 10 per person
Room and setup
- One display surface where the question and all ideas can be seen at the same time.
Adjust for people and time
For 5–15 people, contribute ideas to one list together. For 16 or more people, divide the participant count by 15 and round up for the number of groups, then distribute people evenly with no more than 15 in each group. Provide one large sheet and 2 broad-tip pens per group. Use the same topic in every group and display the lists together afterwards without removing duplicates. Do not integrate or evaluate ideas within this method; pass them to a separate stage.
Safety and non-applicable situations
Keep evaluation, criticism and feasibility judgements out of idea generation. Do not remove similar, unfinished or duplicate ideas. Do not use this where voicing an incorrect idea could cause an accident in an emergency, or where the list cannot be shared within the necessary scope.
Manuscript's recorded references
These translate the original manuscript's source and rights claims. They remain separate from any current-page notice below; they do not establish new verification.
- Seeds for Change Facilitation Tools: Ideastorms
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/tools
anti-copyright adaptation; changes made
- Conditions applying to anti-copyright
https://www.seedsforchange.org.uk/resources
anti-copyright
Diagram, print, and video language
Original Japanese guide, diagram, and print view. Their labels and print text have not been translated; an English print edition is not provided here.
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The manual English phase controls are a navigation aid, not a live facilitation timer. Interactive diagram motion remains pending.
Editorial provenance
Japanese source status and logs are provenance only. They do not mean this English text or interface was field-tested. Historical fixed-text acceptance and hold records remain specific to their recorded versions; displaying them neither asserts current acceptance nor resolves source-specific restrictions.