Expanding ideas
Sure, it’s nice to have a good idea, but the idea alone is not enough. You have to do something with it. That’s why you should always end a brainstorm by expanding your ideas.
Step 1: Attractive name
Give your idea a suitable and attractive concept name. It is easier to convince other people about a concept when it sounds catchy. ‘Spray can with pepper and other herbs to use in the kitchen’ is not a good name.
Step 2: Project card
Make a project card for every top idea. Fill in the concept name and definition. Sum up the advantages and disadvantages. List what you can do to work around the disadvantages. Describe the idea’s impact on your technical process, organization and market. Who would need to be on board to make this happen? Download a project card template here.
Did you brainstorm in a group? Divide the group into smaller groups and give each one a top idea and project card to complete. At the end, each group will have 2 minutes to present their top idea to the others.
Immediately set a date for the next meeting. Translate your concept into concrete actions and appoint someone to be in charge.
Step 3: Analysis
Are you really convinced about your idea? Or not so sure? Why not analyze the actual situation. You can do this by asking yourself the following questions:
1. What are your clients’ needs? Which needs are met and which are not? Does this idea help?
2. What is the competition doing? What do they do better? What do we do better? How does this idea fit in?
3. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Cover all areas from strategy and production to personnel policy and marketing. Does this idea enhance your strengths or solve a problem?
4. What is your business? What do you do now? What would you like to do in the future? Is this idea in line with what you are currently doing and what you want to do later?
You could also do this analysis before the brainstorm so that you know the direction in which you should generate ideas
Step 4: Project plan
You are convinced. You want to implement this idea. Treat every creative idea like a project. Draw up a project plan. Pay attention to the following 7 elements.
1. Organize your project in detailed goals. Make sure beforehand that your goals can be measured afterwords.
2. Draw up a project team.
3. Make a detailed work plan. Estimate how much time each task will take. Finally, work out a time line.
4. Make a detailed overview of the necessary resources. How much does it cost? What infrastructure is required? Do you need external support?
5. Look at the financial side. Can you get subsidies and from where? Will the money come from inside the company or elsewhere?
6. Who must be involved? Will you work together with knowledge centers or other companies? With your clients?
7. Establish performance indicators. When is the project considered a success?
