Purpose
Ideation stretches what the team imagines as possible by generating many varied concepts without early judgement. It encourages risk, hybridity, unusual combinations, and reframing of the problem. In this stage, creativity is prioritised alongside relevance.
For the organisation, ideation surfaces potential opportunity areas that might otherwise be missed; it builds ownership and engagement; it opens up the innovation space so solutions aren’t just safe, but possibly transformative. It readies the team to make smarter selections and prototype with purpose.
Outcome
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A broad set of concept ideas (incremental, radical, hybrid) for AI‑based intervention.
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Clusters or themes among ideas revealing directions, overlaps, or understudied areas.
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Documented assumptions or dependencies each idea carries.
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A shortlist of promising ideas for the Select stage.
Tools
Brainstorming with AI What: Generate ideas, then use AI to critique and expand. How: Capture initial sticky notes, then input into ChatGPT for blind-spot analysis. Why: Enriches ideation with broader perspectives.
SCAMPER What: Apply creative triggers (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other use, Eliminate, Reverse). How: Take an idea; apply each trigger in turn. Why: Produces novel variations.
Crazy 8s What: Fast sketching of 8 ideas in 8 minutes. How: Fold A3 into 8, sketch a variant in each cell. Why: Pushes creativity, quantity over quality.
Idea Clustering / Affinity Diagram / Brutethink What: Group ideas into themes. How: Cluster sticky notes silently, then name groups. Why: Reveals patterns, reduces overwhelm.
Creativity Tools / Why Stupidity Works What: Structured provocations (reverse, exaggerate, nonsense). How: Deliberately suggest silly or impossible ideas, then see what serious insights emerge. Why: Breaks functional fixedness, unlocks lateral thinking.
1-2-4-All What: Inclusive brainstorming sequence. How: Reflect individually (1), discuss in pairs (2), then fours (4), then all together. Why: Ensures all voices are heard, not just dominant ones.
Quotes for Today / Stretches What: Use provocative quotes or physical/mental energisers. How: Share a quote, ask “What does this spark?”; or run a stretch break. Why: Keeps energy high, prompts unexpected associations.