Random Inputs
Random Inputs is an ideation warm-up exercise for divergent ideation: it helps participants open up more possible ideas before choosing a direction.
How to run it
- Before the meeting, generate a list of 50-75 random nouns. You can do this however you see fit, but try to ensure that the nouns are NOT contextually based on the players’ work.
- Write each word on an individual slip of paper and put all of them in a container you can draw from blindly.
- In a white space visible to all the players, write the topic of the play (ex. a new ad campaign) and give all players access to sticky notes - enough that they can generate potentially a dozen ideas per word.
- Give everyone five minutes to quietly write on sticky notes any ideas they have related to the topic and inspired by the word.
- Ask the players to post all of their ideas in the white space.
- This game is an adaptation of Edward do Bono’s exercise called ‘Random Input’ from Creativity Workout: 62 Exercises to Unlock Your Most Creative Ideas.
- Object of Play: To generate random thinking and new ideas around any topic you choose.
Run this exercise live
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What participants need now
Materials:
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Prompts to use +
Before the meeting, generate a list of 50-75 random nouns. You can do this however you see fit, but try to ensure that the nouns are NOT contextually based on the players’ work.
Write each word on an individual slip of paper and put all of them in a container you can draw from blindly.
In a white space visible to all the players, write the topic of the play (ex. a new ad campaign) and give all players access to sticky notes - enough that they can generate potentially a dozen ideas per word.
Give everyone five minutes to quietly write on sticky notes any ideas they have related to the topic and inspired by the word.
Ask the players to post all of their ideas in the white space.
Object of Play: To generate random thinking and new ideas around any topic you choose.
Run this with your AI assistant +
Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.
Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: Random Inputs. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: Before the meeting, generate a list of 50-75 random nouns. You can do this however you see fit, but try to ensure that the nouns are NOT contextually based on the players’ work.; Write each word on an individual slip of paper and put all of them in a container you can draw from blindly.; In a white space visible to all the players, write the topic of the play (ex. a new ad campaign) and give all players access to sticky notes - enough that they can generate potentially a dozen ideas per word.; Give everyone five minutes to quietly write on sticky notes any ideas they have related to the topic and inspired by the word.. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.
Origin unverified
- Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from Gamestorming; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (1 source observed, including Gamestorming.)
- What that means: we track where an exercise has been observed in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, or how popular it is.
- No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
- Corrections: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, read our methodology and trust boundary and tell us.