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Learning Objectives

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Learning Objectives

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Now · 1. The Ideate Phase

Learning Objectives

Apply divergent and convergent thinking
Use brainstorming and ideation techniques
Select and prioritize ideas
Week 3: Clear problem statement
Open mindset

1. The Ideate Phase

Purpose: Generate a large quantity of ideas without judgment. Go beyond obvious solutions to find innovative approaches. Divergent Thinking: Generate many ideas (quantity over quality). Defer judgment. Build on others' ideas. Encourage wild ideas. Convergent Thinking: Narrow down, select, and combine ideas. Apply criteria. Be deliberate.

2. Brainstorming Rules

Defer judgment (no criticism during ideation)
Go for quantity (aim for 100+ ideas)
Encourage wild ideas (they lead to practical ones)
Build on others' ideas (yes, and...)
Stay focused on the topic
One conversation at a time
Be visual (sketch ideas)

3. Ideation Techniques

Brainwriting: Everyone writes ideas silently, passes to next person who builds on them. Prevents dominant voices. SCAMPER: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse Analogous Inspiration: Look at how OTHER domains solved similar problems. What can healthcare learn from hospitality? What can education learn from gaming? Reverse Brainstorming: How would we CAUSE the problem? Reverse answers to find solutions.

4. Idea Selection

Dot Voting: Each team member votes with dots on preferred ideas
Impact/Effort Matrix: Plot ideas on impact (high/low) vs effort (high/low). Prioritize high-impact, low-effort ideas.
NUF Test: New (how novel?), Useful (solves the problem?), Feasible (can we do it?)

Q1: What is the difference between divergent and convergent thinking?

Divergent: generate many ideas (quantity, no judgment, wild ideas). Convergent: narrow down and select (analysis, criteria, deliberate). Both are needed but at different times. Q2: Why is brainstorming more effective with rules?

Without rules, social dynamics (status, criticism, dominant voices) suppress creativity. Rules create psychological safety for wild ideas, encourage building, and maintain focus. Q3: What is SCAMPER?

Ideation technique: Substitute (what else?), Combine (merge with what?), Adapt (what else is like this?), Modify (exaggerate?), Put to other use (new applications?), Eliminate (remove?), Reverse (opposite?). Q4: How do you prioritize ideas?

Impact/Effort matrix: high impact + low effort = quick wins (do first). High impact + high effort = strategic projects. Low impact + low effort = fill-ins. Low impact + high effort = avoid. Q5: What is the NUF test?

New (how innovative?), Useful (how well does it solve the problem?), Feasible (can we implement it?). Score each 1-5. Total = NUF score. Use to compare and select ideas. Join Discord PreviousDefine PhaseNextPrototype Phase