The three basic rules

1. Everyone tosses out as many ideas as possible.  Be free wheeling.  Go for quality.  Combine and hitchhike on ideas.
2. The ideas are written down by the recorder on chart paper. ("public minutes")
3. Nobody is allowed to discuss or criticize the ideas until the brainstorming session is over.

• Cleary state the focus from the start.  Why are we brainstorming?  What will we do with the list when we finish?
• Give some examples before you start.
• To encourage a fast pace, ask someone to be a second recorder, and ask each recorder to write down alternate ideas.
• Set a time limit.  ("OK, in the next six minutes.....")
• Set an objective.  ("I'd like to see if we can generate 30 ideas.")
• Use round-robin at first, then switch to "pop corn" style...everyone can contribute when they think of a idea.
• Energize the group.  ("Think of yourselves as a popcorn popper.  I'll turn up the heat and you begin popping ideas!")
• Review the rules ("Let's remember that we are going to move fast, and not make comments on each idea.  OK, let's begin.")
• The facilitator and recorders remain neutral....just like always!
• The facilitator may need to enforce the rules ("Jerry, please don't evaluate Marie's ideas.")
• The facilitator may need to direct traffic.  ("June, did you get May's idea down?  Now, who's next?")
• Keep stimulating more activity.  When the group slows down, perhaps restate or expand on the question.
• Draw people out. ("Fred, you look like you have an idea.  How about it?")
• Make a clean ending  ("Wonderful.  We have 30 ideas.  Let's close the brainstorming session.  If you have more ideas you can come up and add them later.")