--- title: "3. Brainstorming Step 2: Generate ideas" description: This is the "heart" of brainstorming. Here are tips for best results. --- [Skip to content](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/3.-brainstorming-step-2-generate-ideas#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![AIM-logo-white.png\]](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AIM-logo-white.png?height=40&name=AIM-logo-white.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - Contact us Contact us BlueHelp® Knowledge Center - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [BLUE HELP](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en?hsLang=en) 2. [Rest of Blueprinting (Steps 4-7)](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/rest-of-blueprinting-steps-4-7?hsLang=en) 3. [Blueprinting Step 6: Technical Brainstorming](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/rest-of-blueprinting-steps-4-7?hsLang=en#blueprinting-step-6-technical-brainstorming) # 3. Brainstorming Step 2: Generate ideas ## This is the "heart" of brainstorming. Here are tips for best results. The second step is to generate ideas… lots of them. Start by giving everyone *15 minutes of silent thinking time*. You may not have done this before, but it lets everyone follow their own unique course of thinking before being influenced by others. Then review Osborn’s ground rules… Don’t criticize ideas… wild ideas are welcome… the more, the better… and build on each other’s ideas. The 1st rule is hard for some to follow… so watch for and discourage any violations. You don’t want a “Grim Idea Reaper” shutting down the free flow of ideas. Then go around the room, asking for one idea per person… and record them in Blueprinter software. This also may be new for you: In many brainstorming sessions, people just shout out their ideas as they occur to them. But since you had the silent idea generation first, each person probably has a list ready. Going around the room getting one idea at a time has these benefits: - It doesn’t allow one person to dominate the discussion. - It gives incentive for everyone to think of *more* ideas… so they’re not the first to “run out.” Encourage people to springboard off others’ ideas, adding more ideas to their own list. Keep going around the room until no one can think of any more ideas. Record their ideas on a Brainstorm Sheet in Excel-based Blueprinter 4.0 (accessible by clicking the Brainstorm Sheet link in Step 6. ![](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-299.png?width=528&name=image-299.png) For more on this topic, see e-Learning Module 29: Technical Brainstorming at [www.blueprintintcenter.com](http://www.blueprintintcenter.com) \> e-Learning.   Keywords: Blueprinting Step 6: Technical Brainstorming, solution brainstorming, solution ideation, technology development, product development, science-facing, market-facing, generate ideas, generate solutions, don't criticize ideas, wild ideas welcome, the more ideas the better, build on others' ideas,  - [Blueprinting Center & Methodology](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#main-content) - [What is New Product Blueprinting?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#what-is-new-product-blueprinting) - [How is Blueprinting learned and applied?](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/blueprinting-center-methodology?hsLang=en#how-is-blueprinting-learned-and-applied) - 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Brainstorm Assumptions](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-1-brainstorm-assumptions) - [Step 2. Consumption Chain](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-2-consumption-chain) - [Step 3. Individual Ratings](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-3-individual-ratings) - [Step 4. Team Ratings](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-4-team-ratings) - [Step 5. Review Certainty Matrix](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-5-review-certainty-matrix) - [Step 6. CheckPoint Plan](https://support.theaiminstitute.com/en/minesweeper-de-risking?hsLang=en#step-6-checkpoint-plan) - [Step 7. 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