Brainstorm
Generate and rank strategic options before you commit.
Structured brainstorm generates strategic options before commitment — markets, models, partnerships, positioning — with diverge/converge discipline.
First idea attachment wastes quarters. Brainstorm widens the option space, then ranks against intake criteria.
After intake, before SWOT or segment lock-in. When pivoting or expanding adjacencies.
- Frame question tied to intake success signals.
- Diverge — quantity, no early critique.
- Cluster themes.
- Score options on impact, feasibility, fit.
- Shortlist 2–3 for deeper work.
- Document killed ideas and why.
- Options tied to strategic question.
- Scoring rubric explicit.
- Shortlist small; kills recorded.
- Brainstorm becomes feature list.
- No convergence — endless ideas.
- HiPPO picks winner without scoring.
Northvale Systems brainstormed supplier portal rollout: big-bang ERP module vs phased self-service vs partner-operated onboarding — scored phased self-service highest on risk and pilot learnings.
PulseWell brainstormed GTM: CHRO outbound vs broker channel vs HRIS marketplace — scored marketplace highest on CAC, shortlisted for Q1 test.
Riverstone Legal brainstormed productised templates vs industry vertical packs — vertical fintech pack won on fit and referrer strength.
Clearwater Initiative brainstormed volunteer vs paid field monitors vs SMS-only reporting — hybrid volunteer + SMS backup won on cost and data quality.
/brainstorm in discover phase (brain chip). Outputs feed SWOT and segment map. Coach facilitates diverge/converge with citeable option IDs.
Related techniques
Sources & further reading
- Osborn, A. F. (1953). Applied Imagination. Scribner.