Brainstorming techniques using a whiteboard: reverse brainstorming

Reverse brainstorming is a unique brainstorming technique that focuses on problems rather than solutions. This might sound counterintuitive, but the opposite is true.

This method encourages teams to identify potential challenges and obstacles, which ultimately leads to innovative and effective solutions.

Applying this technique on a large whiteboard or even an entire whiteboard wall is an ideal way to gain a clear overview of all ideas and solutions.

Let’s explore how reverse brainstorming works on a large whiteboard.

You might recognize this from personal experience: it’s often easier to identify why an idea won’t work rather than contribute to finding a solution. Reverse brainstorming leverages this principle. Team members are invited to list as many problems as possible.

The list of problems serves as a new starting point for generating ideas. By making the problems concrete, it sparks new impulses for coming up with solutions.

Writing out all the problems and their corresponding solutions on a large whiteboard gives your brain the opportunity to gain a clear overview and organize them into clusters.

Thinking about problems can actually help when team members are stuck in generating creative solutions and ideas. It pulls you out of fixed patterns and loops.

By first considering how problems can be exacerbated, team members gain deeper insight into the project or topic being brainstormed. This deeper understanding helps to uncover more creative solutions that might otherwise be overlooked.

Another significant benefit is that reverse brainstorming also encourages participation from team members who may not consider themselves creative. Therefore, this technique is accessible to a wider group of employees to actively engage in brainstorming sessions.

To get the most out of your brainstorming session, it’s useful to have a large whiteboard or a whiteboard wall where multiple team members can contribute their ideas. You can also use multiple whiteboards. Check out our range of whiteboards here.

Step 1: define the central problem

Start by clearly defining the problem or challenge that the team is facing. Write this problem statement prominently on the whiteboard. It’s essential that everyone on the team has a good understanding of the problem before the brainstorming session begins.

Example problem statement: How can we improve internal communication?

Step 2: reverse the problem

Instead of brainstorming solutions right away, ask the team to think about ways in which the problem can be made worse. Also write this reversed question under the problem statement.

Example: How can we ensure that internal communication becomes worse?

Step 3: generate ideas

Encourage team members to generate as many ideas as possible about how the problem can be exacerbated. Write down all ideas on the whiteboard without evaluating or filtering them at this point. The goal is to create an extensive list of possible problems and obstacles.

Example: Ask team members to brainstorm ideas on how internal communication can deteriorate, such as:

• Remove all communication platforms.
• Withhold important information.
• Avoid meetings and updates.
• Restrict access to information sources.

Step 4: analyze the ideas

Review the generated ideas and look for patterns and common themes. This analysis can help identify the underlying causes of the original problem. This is the main reason to use a large whiteboard or preferably a whiteboard wall for the brainstorming session.

Example: Lack of transparency, poor access to information, and inadequate communication channels.

Step 5: reverse the ideas

Now it’s time to reverse the negative ideas into potential solutions. Take each idea and think about how it can be reversed to have a positive impact on the original problem. Write these solutions next to the negative ideas on the whiteboard.

Example:

• Implement efficient communication platforms.
• Ensure transparency and regularly share updates.
• Hold regular meetings and information sessions.
• Improve access to information sources.

Step 6: prioritize and plan

Discuss the generated solutions and determine which ones are the most feasible and effective. Prioritize these solutions and develop a plan of action to implement them. Use the whiteboard to assign responsibilities and create a timeline.

Example:

• Introduce a new communication platform within the next month.
• Organize weekly information sessions.
• Establish guidelines for transparency and regular updates.

Creating a clear overview is essential for the outcome of a brainstorming session. Work systematically and bring order to the chaos of ideas and comments from your team members.

You can achieve this on a whiteboard wall by first developing a template. The template walks through the steps mentioned above and notes the results. Employees can write their ideas on self-adhesive note pads. Chameleon also offers static note pads specifically for whiteboards.

A whiteboard wall, also known as a whiteboard panel, is an extended version of the traditional whiteboard that covers an entire wall or a large portion of it. It provides a significantly larger writing and drawing space, which is ideal for extensive brainstorming sessions, strategic planning, and team collaboration. Whiteboard walls are becoming increasingly popular in both business and educational environments due to their versatility and functionality.

Chameleon offers multiple types of whiteboard walls that are suitable for brainstorming. They differ in design and size, but they also share similarities. For instance, the surface of all our whiteboard walls is made of enameled steel, also known as ceramic steel. This is a hard and extremely smooth surface that is perfectly writable and erasable.

Furthermore, Chameleon’s whiteboard walls are constructed from frameless whiteboard panels. These panels are tightly placed together during installation, creating one large writing surface with minimal seams.

The large whiteboard walls offer several key benefits:

• Space for creativity

The expansive writing surface provides ample space for extensive brainstorming sessions, developing complex ideas, and creating detailed plans. This promotes creativity and innovation within teams.

• Improved collaboration

A whiteboard wall allows multiple team members to write and contribute simultaneously, fostering collaboration and interaction, which leads to more effective and inclusive sessions.

• Clarity and organization

The large surface makes it easier to organize and visualize ideas, notes, and plans. This helps teams maintain a clear overview and see connections between different elements.

• Flexibility in use

Whiteboard walls are flexible in use and can be used for various purposes such as presentations, training sessions, workshops, and daily meetings. This makes them a valuable investment for any organization.

• Durability and low maintenance costs

Thanks to their high-quality materials, whiteboard walls are durable and require minimal maintenance. This means they will last for years without requiring much time or money for repairs or replacements.

Reverse brainstorming is a powerful technique that helps teams approach problems from a new perspective and develop innovative solutions. Using a large whiteboard surface enhances this process by providing a visual overview where ideas can be noted, structured, and analyzed. By following the steps of reverse brainstorming, teams can gain deeper insights into the underlying causes of problems and develop effective strategies to address them.