Ideation (Brainstorming Solutions)
Ecclesiastes 7:12
“Wisdom is protection as money is protection, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.”
Wisdom Comes After the Ideas
Ecclesiastes 7:12 reminds us that wisdom preserves. Creativity can give us many possibilities, but wisdom helps us determine which ideas are worth pursuing.
An entrepreneur needs both.
First, we give ourselves room to create. Then we use wisdom to evaluate.
What Is Ideation?
Now that you have identified and clearly defined a problem, it is time to start thinking about solutions!
Ideation is the process of coming up with lots of possible ideas to solve a problem. During this stage, your goal is not to find the perfect idea right away. Your goal is to think creatively and generate as many possibilities as you can.
This is the “No Bad Ideas” stage!
Sometimes an idea that sounds strange or impossible at first can lead to an amazing solution. Entrepreneurs have to be willing to think differently.
The Rules of Brainstorming
During brainstorming:
- Do not judge ideas yet. Write them down, even if they seem silly.
- Think big. Do not worry about whether you can actually build it yet.
- Build on other ideas. One idea can inspire another.
- Go for quantity. The more ideas you generate, the more choices you will have.
- Stay focused on the problem. Your ideas should help the person experiencing the problem.
For example, imagine your problem is:
Students sometimes forget when their assignments are due.
You might brainstorm:
- A homework reminder app
- A color-changing planner
- A backpack that gives reminders
- A homework checklist
- Text-message reminders
- A smart pencil case
- A classroom assignment board
- A bracelet that vibrates before something is due
Some ideas may be realistic. Others may sound crazy. That is okay during ideation!
In-Class Activity: Rapid Idea Generation
You are going to challenge yourself to come up with solutions quickly.
First, write your team's problem statement at the top of your paper.
Then set a timer and generate as many solutions as possible. Do not stop to decide whether an idea is good or bad.
Try to come up with at least 10 different solutions.
If you get stuck, ask yourself:
Could I make it faster?
Could I make it easier?
Could technology help?
Could I make it cheaper?
Could I make it more fun?
What would a completely crazy solution look like?
Remember, you are brainstorming. You are not choosing yet.
Homework: Narrow It Down to Your Top 2
Look at all the solutions you brainstormed in class and choose your top two ideas.
For each idea, answer:
Idea #1
- What is the solution?
- How does it solve the problem?
- Who would benefit from it?
- Why do you think this idea could work?
Idea #2
- What is the solution?
- How does it solve the problem?
- Who would benefit from it?
- Why do you think this idea could work?
Come to the next class prepared to explain why you chose these two ideas.
Remember: Today isn't about having the perfect answer. It's about thinking creatively, exploring possibilities, and then using wisdom to decide what deserves a closer look.