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Brainstorming

is an interactive method of developing ideas resulting from discussions between many people, in which each comes with a lot of suggestions. The result of these discussions leads to choosing the best solutions for solving the situation discussed;
aims to issue a large number of solutions, ideas on how to solve a problem, hoping that by combining them will get the best solution;

The way of obtaining these ideas is to stimulate creativity within the group, in an atmosphere free of criticism, uninhibating, the result of the delay in the evaluation moment. In other words, participants are free from any constraint, they communicate without the fear that they will say something wrong or inappropriate to be appreciated as such by the other participants;

This method’s interest is to give free rein to imagination, to unusual and original ideas, the unconventional views, causing a constructive chain reaction, to create ideas. In this sense, an idea or suggestion, apparently unrelated to the issue in question, may provide premises of developing further ideas from other participants;

Brainstorming takes place at a meeting consisting of a group of maximum 30 people, preferably heterogeneous in terms of training, coordinated by a moderator who acts as both an animator and a mediator;

Optimal time is 20-45 minutes;

The specific of this method is that it includes two stages:

one to produce ideas and then
their evaluation, the critical assessments phase.

Osborn's method

Osborn claimed that two principles contribute to "ideative efficacy," these being "1. Defer judgment", and "2. Reach for quantity".

Following these principles were his four general rules of brainstorming, established with intention to reduce social inhibitions among group members, stimulate idea generation, and increase overall creativity of the group.

Focus on quantity: This rule is a means of enhancing divergent production, aiming to facilitate problem solving through the maxim quantity breeds quality. The assumption is that the greater the number of ideas generated, the greater the chance of producing a radical and effective solution.
Withhold criticism: In brainstorming, criticism of ideas generated should be put 'on hold'. Instead, participants should focus on extending or adding to ideas, reserving criticism for a later 'critical stage' of the process. By suspending judgment, participants will feel free to generate unusual ideas.
Welcome unusual ideas: To get a good and long list of ideas, unusual ideas are welcomed. They can be generated by looking from new perspectives and suspending assumptions. These new ways of thinking may provide better solutions.
Combine and improve ideas: Good ideas may be combined to form a single better good idea, as suggested by the slogan "1+1=3". It is believed to stimulate the building of ideas by a process of association.