Tool 217: Wildest Idea Technique

AKA

Wildest Idea Thinking

Classification

Idea Generating (IG)

Tool description

Of all the different variations of brainstorming, the wildest idea technique is perhaps the most challenging and creative activity. This tool encourages participants to perform out-of-the box brainstorming with the goal of generating truly outrageous and wild ideas. The underlying application of this tool is to discover break-through ideas for process, product, or service improvements.

Typical application

• To generate unusual and wild ideas that normal brainstorming methods do not.

• To collect "anything goes" ideas for the purpose of finding practical applications or solutions that normally do not surface during regular session.

• To promote creative thinking among brainstorming participants.

Problem-solving phase

→	Select and define problem or opportunity
	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
→	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
1	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
	Project management
	Manufacturing
3	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
	Servicing/support
	Customer/quality metrics
2	Change management

Notes and key points

• An experienced facilitator can promote more direct participation in this process by applying lessons learned from previous facilitation of round robin, classical, or reversed brainstorming sessions.

• Some wild ideas may need on-the-spot clarification in order to make sense later.

links to other tools

before

• Brainstorming

• Mental Imaging

• Round Robin Brainstorming

• Interview Technique

• Buzz Group

after

• Starbursting

• Thematic Content Analysis

• Consensus Decision Making

• Criteria Filtering

• Multivoting

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 The facilitator introduces this brainstorming variation and provides a rationale for using it.

• STEP 2 Brainstorming is started by the facilitator's displaying of several outrageous or impossible ideas to a stated topic, issue, or problem. See example Employee/Team Recognition and Reward.

• STEP 3 Participants generate other wild, crazy ideas or hitchhike on others already mentioned.

• STEP 4 The facilitator records ideas on the flip chart and monitors the process closely to ensure that participants do not revert back to generating more conventional ideas.

• STEP 5 The process is continued until all participants run out of wild ideas. The final list of ideas is dated and saved for next steps.

Example of tool application

Employee/Team Recognition and Reward	Date xx/xx/xx
– Team gets 10% of profits
– "Honorary Executive" title
– Team success on E-mail distribution
– Teams determine recognition/reward
– Give "markers"
– Open doors for 2 days
– Team goes on cruise
– Job rotation for a week
– President of the company for a day