Exercises for Ideation Warm-Ups & Brainstorming
Short structured prompts push a group to generate many possible ideas quickly, before narrowing to a direction, using techniques like forced connections or rapid listing. Reach for one right before a brainstorm or design session to loosen up thinking.
Explore exercises grouped by theme. Read each run sheet to check the task, group size and setting before choosing.
204 exercises
Awestruck 3 Minutes
How Might We
Skill Will Matrix
Image Brainstorming
SCAMPER Idea Generation
Personal Buzzfeed
3-12-3 Brainstorm
Random Words
Idea Boxes
Creative Problem Solving Suite
Idea Speed Dating
50 Word Epiphany
Use Your Amygdala
The Emperor's Thumb
Serial Jolts
15% Solutions
7Ps Framework
Responses to No
Phone Stacking
Synesthesia
Time Wasters
Place Your Bets
Divergent Thinking Mind Map Style
Argue It Out
Hot Potato Tags
Cups and Straws: UWT Prototype Version
Brain Shifter
Q Test
Business Books
Twenty-Two Habits for Better Creativity
Prediction Markets
Generations
Structured Sticky Note Brainstorming
Team Role Development Matrix
Image-ination
Drawing Toast
Silent Deck Reading
Concerns in a Hat
Impromptu Networking
PechaKucha 20x20
One Word Whip
Backchannel Screen
The Relationship Start-up
Fishbowl
Crazy 8s
Brainwriting
Idea Volume Brainstorming
Ideas Marketplace
Metaphors
Phone-a-Friend Resource Mapping
Building and Shifting the Discourse
Practicing Deliberation with Others: Legislative Jury
Phillips 6/6
Restart Your Morning
Elephant in the Room
I Like, I Wish, I Wonder
Plus/Delta
4 Markers for Your Odds
Build the Checklist
Too Fast Too Slow
Seeking Innovation with Good Word Connections
Braindrawing
Nippon
Jeffersonian Dinner Discussion
Sound for the Source
Random Inputs
The Pitch
Triangles
New Personality Research
Situationist Drift
Hackman Five-Factor Team Diagnostic Workshop
Concept Route
Better Solution
Walk in the Door Big Share
Porter's Five Forces Workshop
Affinity Diagram
Rain Maker
Plus Delta Feedback
Idea Storm
Speed Networking People Science Style
Luck in an Envelope
One Simple Post-It for Success
Triads
Feel or Be in AWE
Mandela Strategies: UWT Reading Discussion
Crazy 8s
Big Solutions in a Box Walk
Action Needed
Anticipating Challenges
Group Line-Up Strategy
Quick Share Experiments
Air Time Mastermind
Time Savers
Point to Present
Encouraging Bold Imagination
WhoDo
The Kipling Method
Product Pinocchio
Curiosity Quotient
Growth Mindset Workshop
Round Robin Brainstorming
Brainstorming
Lumberjack Stack
Urban Sketching
35 Prioritization
Pixar Critique Sessions
Whip Around
Brainwriting
The Sunset
Your Add
Reaction Envelopes
Smarter Faster Better Workshop
Radical Candor Workshop
Affinity Frame
Peacock Focus
Walk About
5-3-1 Summarizing Technique
Saturate and Group
App Kick-Off Long Term Digital Connections
If Then
Reverse Brainstorming
5-Minute Ideas
Mask Making
Prune the Future
Switch It Brainstorm
25/10 Crowd Sourcing
Black Swan Workshop
Fishbowl Panel
Min Specs
C.I.A. Crazy Idea Brainstorm
Draw Your Feelings
Read Weirdly and Widely
What is in Your Toolkit?
Visualize It!
Lo-Tech Social Network
Reading Club
Round Robin Brainstorming
Flip It
Remember and Do Build
Atomize
Fishbone Diagram
Is Scrum Right for Us?
Status Center
How-Now-Wow Matrix
Apples
Do, Redo & Undo
Double Brainstorming
Hemingway Memoirs
Preparing for AI Disruption
Cross-Team Connections
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