Idea tree
This tool supports brainstorming ideas in cross-disciplinary teams and makes different perspectives visible.
Strength of the method: | The idea tree in particular and brainwriting methods in general bear the potential to give voice to each member of a group and to promote novel ideas. |
To be considered: |
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Read here about the rationale of the brief factsheets (in comparison to method profiles of the td-net toolbox):
Goal: | The tool aims at collecting various thoughts on an initial topic by inviting participants to individual brain-writing based on inputs provided by the other participants. |
Location in td process phases: | The tool is often used for problem framing, but can also be used in other phases when discovery of alternatives is at stake. |
Bridging thought styles: | The tool fosters the potential to bridge thought styles by making the perspective on an issue of each group member visible. Thereby the range of perspectives gets illustrated and the combination of these may lead to new research ideas. The potential of the tool to bridge thought styles is dependent on how the participants are selected (heterogeneity) and on the follow-on discussions after the first collection of ideas. |
Time required to implement the method: | 45 minutes to 1 hour in a group of 8-10 people |
Preparation required: |
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Expertise required: | Easy to apply |
Convener & participants: | Research team, may be adapted to a group of people with specialized (practical) knowledge |
Other considerations: | The effectiveness of the tool is dependent on the extent to which participants adopt a supportive, inclusive stance toward each other’s entries |
For a detailed description of the method (online, open access), please see
for comments from the community, see discussion section of:
Ressource compilation in whichit appears:
Provided by: | Dan Stokols, Maritza Salazar, Gary M. Olson, and Judith S. Olson |
Recommended by: | Gabriele Bammer (i2S) |
Language(s) | EN |