Ideation
Brainstorming board template
A how-might-we question, a wall for ideas and a shortlist to vote into.
What it is
A brainstorming board starts with one how-might-we question at the top. Below it are frames for all ideas, wild ideas and a shortlist, so the team goes wide first and narrows down after.
When to use it
- When a team is stuck on a problem and needs options
- At the start of a design sprint or a workshop
- When you want ideas from the quiet people as well as the loud ones
How to run it
- 01
Write the question
Phrase the problem as "How might we…" and put it at the top. Narrow enough to answer, wide enough to allow surprises.
- 02
Go for quantity
Set a ten-minute timer and ask for as many notes as possible in All ideas. No discussion yet.
- 03
Make room for wild ideas
Odd ideas get their own frame. That way they are welcome and do not crowd out the realistic ones.
- 04
Shortlist with dots
Each person draws a dot with the pen on their two favourites. Move the notes with the most dots into Shortlist.
Opens a new board from this prompt:
"Brainstorm: how might we get more customers to leave a review after their order arrives"
Related templates
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- Try the AI whiteboard
Or describe your own board
Type one sentence and the AI drafts frames and notes for any format.