10 Brainstorming Examples to Improve Creative Problem Solving

Ever walked out of a brainstorming session drowning in ideas but still stuck at square one? That’s because most people brainstorm ineffectively. And it’s costing the team and you big time.

Creativity fuels breakthrough businesses, yet 58% of employees feel their company doesn’t even value it. The problem? Brainstorming without structure leads to stale ideas, groupthink, and dead ends. 

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 🎯 

This isn’t just another list of’ 10 brainstorming tips’. In this guide, we share a proven playbook packed with techniques, real-world examples, and tools to unlock creative solutions faster with productive brainstorming sessions. 

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⏰ 60-Second Summary 

• Brainstorming is a structured technique to generate ideas, solve problems, and foster creativity
• Benefits: Brainstorming fosters diverse perspectives, boosts critical thinking, sparks creativity, enhances collaboration, generates quick ideas, and reduces biases
• Key brainstorming techniques include SCAMPER, Brainwriting, Six Thinking Hats, Role Storming, Mind Mapping, SWOT Analysis, Reverse Brainstorming, Random Word Association, Starbursting, and Round-Robin Brainstorming
• Use brainstorming for:
  • Identifying new product features and launching them
  • Enhancing team collaboration or  improving customer service processes
  • Designing a marketing campaign or generating blog ideas
  • Developing a new business strategy and solving complex problems
• Tools like ClickUp facilitate effective brainstorming by turning ideas into actionable plans. Use ClickUp Mind Maps, Whiteboards, and more to brew those creative ideas.

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The Fundamentals of Brainstorming

Brainstorming is a creative technique used to generate a broad list of ideas in response to an initial question or problem. The goal is to produce as many ideas as possible, focusing on quantity over quality. 

But to do it right, you need to understand the basics:

• 1️⃣ Quantity over quality (yes, really!). Don’t filter ideas too early. Instead, focus on generating as many ideas as possible
• 2️⃣ No bad ideas. Fear of sounding ‘silly’ kills creativity. Keep judgment off the table
• 3️⃣ Groups have an edge. Solo brainstorming is great, but collaboration sparks new ideas
• 4️⃣ A little structure helps. Free-flowing sessions work best with some guidance

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Benefits of Brainstorming 

Brainstorming is a powerhouse for innovation and teamwork. Let’s dive into its top perks 🌟

• 💡 Diverse perspectives spark better ideas: Different backgrounds bring fresh solutions you wouldn’t think of alone
• 🧠 Boosts critical thinking: Brainstorming pushes you to think critically and solve problems creatively
• 🎨 Creativity flows freely: A judgment-free space encourages out-of-the-box ideas
• 🤝 Enhances team collaboration: Working together in brainstorming sessions leads to open communication and trust among team members
• ⚡More ideas, less time: Group energy fuels rapid idea generation

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Creative Brainstorming Techniques to Generate and Refine Ideas 

Let’s discuss the 10 creative and effective brainstorming techniques that help generate ideas and inspire creativity: 

1. SCAMPER technique 

SCAMPER is a simple yet powerful brainstorming tool for rethinking and improving existing ideas or products. The name stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to Another Use, Eliminate, and Reverse.

Each step challenges you to see your idea differently. Ask yourself, ‘What can I substitute?’ or ‘Can I combine two elements?’ The goal is to break free from conventional thinking and spark fresh solutions.

Example: A startup makes reusable water bottles. Here’s how they would approach it using the SCAMPER model: 

• Substitute plastic with bamboo
• Combine it with a water filter
• Adapt it for hot drinks
• Modify the shape for a better grip
• Put it to other uses, like a mini-planter
• Eliminate the cap, use a twist-lock
• Reverse the design, making it collapsible.

2. Brainwriting technique

A low-pressure way to ensure all the ideas generated get heard. Instead of speaking out loud, team members write down their ideas, making this perfect for introverts or quieter voices. Then, the team reviews and builds on them together.

3. Six Thinking Hats technique 

Edward de Bono’s method helps teams tackle problems from multiple angles to generate innovative ideas. 

Wearing one hat at a time keeps discussions focused and structured. No more chaotic back and forth, as it’s like giving your brain a specific role to play!  

4. Role storming technique

Role storming is a fun twist on traditional brainstorming. 

It lets you step into someone else’s shoes, whether a customer, competitor or even a fictional character. Thinking from their perspective helps break usual thought patterns and sparks fresh ideas.

5. Mind mapping technique 

Mind mapping is like creating a visual roadmap for your thoughts. You start with a central idea and draw branches to related concepts, like a tree spreading its branches. 

By laying everything out visually, you can spot patterns, gaps, or even new opportunities.

You can check out these mind map examples for inspiration. 

6. SWOT analysis technique 

SWOT analysis is a structured way to assess Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It helps you map out your position, identify challenges and advantages, and create a clear strategy for moving forward.

Here’s a breakdown of the four critical components of a SWOT analysis in project management:

• Strengths: These are the internal, positive, and favorable attributes of your product/organization that give you an advantage. Some examples could be a highly skilled team, a proven methodology, or access to unique resources
• Weaknesses: These are internal limitations or shortcomings that put you at a disadvantage and hinder progress. You need to address and fix these negative attributes
• Opportunities: These are usually external factors that present favorable conditions for your company’s success. Think about emerging market trends that you can capitalize on, potential partnerships, or the availability of new technologies
• Threats: Factors that could harm your company’s success are considered threats. Examples include a competitor’s predatory actions, unexpected regulatory changes, or an economic downturn

7. Reverse brainstorming technique 

Reverse brainstorming flips the problem-solving process on its head by asking, ‘How can we cause the problem instead?’ 

It may sound counterintuitive, but this technique helps identify potential pitfalls and challenges you might overlook. Once the negative ideas are listed, you brainstorm possible solutions to prevent or fix those issues.

8. Random Word Association technique 

Random word association sparks creativity by using unexpected words to trigger new ideas. You start with a completely unrelated word and brainstorm how it connects to your problem or goal. 

It’s surprising how random connections can lead to innovative solutions you’d never think of otherwise! This technique is perfect for breaking out of mental ruts. It’s playful, spontaneous, and super effective for overcoming creative blocks.

9. Starbursting technique 

Starbursting is all about asking the right questions before jumping to solutions. Instead of brainstorming answers, you focus on: 

• Who 
• What 
• Where 
• When 
• Why 
• How is it related to your idea

This technique ensures that every angle is considered before making decisions.

10. Round-robin brainstorming technique 

Round-robin brainstorming ensures everyone in the team gets a say. 

Instead of one person dominating the discussion, each team member takes turns contributing an idea before the open discussion begins. It’s structured, inclusive, and great for gathering a variety of perspectives. 

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10 Brainstorming Examples for Practical Application

Let’s explore ten examples of how brainstorming can drive better business and marketing decisions. 

1. Developing a new product feature 🔄

▶️ Scenario: Your team needs fresh ideas for a new feature but isn’t sure what users will love.

✅ Approach: Use the SCAMPER technique to spark creativity and rethink your project management tool.

• Substitute: Replace manual task lists with automated workflows
• Combine: Merge time tracking with project management for a seamless experience
• Modify: Make the interface sleeker and more customizable
• Put to another use: Use the calendar feature as a timeline tracker
• Eliminate: Remove clutter and simplify the user experience

🚀 Outcome: This structured approach unlocks innovative ideas, leading to a feature that’s both useful and game-changing.

2. Enhancing team collaboration ✍️

▶️ Scenario: The marketing and sales teams often miscommunicate about lead quality, leading to frustration and lost deals. The team needs a better way to boost collaboration. 

✅ Approach: The team tries brainwriting to tackle the issue:

• Each member writes three ideas on improving collaboration, such as “define lead scoring criteria together” or “set up a shared dashboard”
• Papers are passed around, and teammates expand on each idea. Someone might add, “Use ClickUp Chat for real-time lead qualification updates”
• After several rounds, they compile the best ideas into an action plan

🚀 Outcome: The teams implement a weekly sync and a shared CRM tagging system, reducing confusion and speeding up deal closures. 

ClickUp Whiteboards

For a smoother and more interactive brainstorming session, use ClickUp Whiteboards. Team members can add, expand, and connect ideas in real time, making the process more engaging, structured, and collaborative.

3. Designing a marketing campaign 🎩

▶️ Scenario: Your team is launching a new plant-based energy drink and needs a campaign that grabs attention and drives engagement

✅ Approach: The team uses the Six Thinking Hats technique to brainstorm:

• White hat (information): Market research shows Gen Z prefers sustainable products and engaging video content 📊
• Red hat (emotions): The campaign should evoke excitement and empowerment, making people feel energized and ready to take on challenges ❤️
• Black hat (caution): A common concern is consumers might doubt the drink’s effectiveness compared to traditional energy drinks ⚠️
• Yellow hat (optimism): The biggest strength? A unique formula with clean ingredients and a bold, refreshing taste 🌞
• Green hat (creativity): The team explores an interactive Instagram challenge where users show their “before and after” energy levels after drinking it 🌱
• Blue hat (process): They decide to roll out teaser content a week before launch, followed by influencer collaborations 🛠️

🚀 Outcome: The campaign launches with viral Instagram engagement, high user-generated content, and strong brand awareness among health-conscious consumers

4. Improving customer service experience 🎭

▶️ Scenario: Your company, a food delivery startup, wants to enhance customer service by identifying pain points and finding better solutions.

✅ Approach: Use role storming to step into the shoes of different customers. Here’s how:

• Assign roles: Each team member takes on a customer persona, like a tech influencer, student, first-time buyer, or a student: 

• “As a busy professional,” I’d need fast, healthy options.
• “As a frugal student,” I’d want cheap, late-night deals.
• “As a tech influencer,” I’d seek visually appealing, shareable meals.

• Explore scenarios: Participants discuss challenges and needs from their customer’s perspective 🗣️
• Generate ideas: The team brainstorms solutions based on these insights 💡

🚀 Outcome: The team uncovers unique insights and creates a more personalized, effective strategy by seeing the service through different customer lenses.

5. Generating creative blog ideas 🗺️

▶️ Scenario: You’re a nutrition blogger, but every topic you think of feels overdone. You need a fresh way to generate creative blog ideas

✅ Approach: You grab a whiteboard and start mind mapping:

• Main topic: “Gut Health” goes in the center 🦠
• First branches: You break it down into “Foods for Gut Health,” “Common Myths,” and “Gut-Brain Connection”

Second layer: Under “Common Myths,” you expand with:

• “Does kombucha actually improve digestion?”
• “Debunking the ‘detox tea’ trend”
• “Can probiotics replace a healthy diet?”

🚀 Outcome: By the end of this content brainstorming exercise, you will have a full list of unique, research-backed blog ideas that stand out from the usual advice. 

ClickUp Mind Maps

The drag-and-drop interface of ClickUp Mind Maps lets you visually connect ideas, reorganize branches, and even link tasks directly to your blog planning. The result? 

Scattered thoughts turned into a structured content strategy. 

6. Developing a business strategy 📊

▶️ Scenario: You’re launching a new AI-powered claims processing platform in the competitive insure-tech market. To carve out your niche, you need a sharp strategy. 

✅ Approach: You run a SWOT analysis to define your game plan:

• Strengths: Your AI speeds up claims approvals 5x faster than traditional insurers, reducing wait times from weeks to hours 💪
• Weaknesses: Brand trust is low since you’re new, and potential customers worry about data security and reliability🛠️
• Opportunities: The rise of instant insurance policies means customers are looking for faster, more seamless experiences🌟
• Threats: Established insurers could integrate AI themselves, closing your tech advantage⚠️

🚀 Outcome: With this insight, you focus on building trust through security certifications and transparent policies while leveraging speed as your key differentiator in marketing.

ClickUp Personal SWOT Analysis Template

Use the Personal SWOT Analysis Template by ClickUp to clearly outline your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for a well-rounded strategy.

Get Free Template

7. Solving complex problems 🔁

▶️ Scenario: Your SaaS company is struggling with high customer churn, and traditional brainstorming isn’t leading to breakthrough ideas.

✅ Approach: You try reverse brainstorming to find hidden causes and solutions:

• 📝 Define the problem: “How can we reduce customer churn?”
• 🔄 Flip the perspective: Instead, ask, “How can we make churn worse?
• 💡 List potential causes: 

• Ignore customer support tickets 📉
• Make onboarding confusing 🚧
• Overpromise and underdeliver ❌
• 🛠️Find solutions: Reverse each cause to generate fixes:

• Improve customer support with faster response times
• Simplify onboarding with interactive walkthroughs
• Set realistic expectations in marketing

🚀 Outcome: Your team identifies previously overlooked issues, leading to a focused action plan that improves retention.

8. Enhancing product design 🌀

▶️ Scenario: Your smartwatch startup wants to design a truly unique interface, but every idea feels too similar to existing products.

✅ Approach: You try random word association to break out of predictable thinking:

• 🌊 Pick a random word: “Galaxy” 🌌
• 📝 List associations: Stars, orbits, black holes, infinity, constellations
• 💡Make connections:
  
• Orbits → A circular, gesture-based menu that “gravitates” around the user’s finger
• Constellations → A customizable home screen where users connect apps like star patterns
• Infinity → A seamless scrolling experience with no hard stops

🚀 Outcome: Your team moves beyond generic UI ideas, designing a futuristic, space-inspired interface that sets your product apart.

9. Planning a product launch ✨

▶️ Scenario: Your team is gearing up to launch a new AI-powered note-taking app, but there are a million moving pieces to consider.

✅ Approach: You use starbursting to ensure a comprehensive launch plan:

1️⃣ Create a star diagram with “AI Note” at the center.

2️⃣ Label the six key questions and brainstorm answers:

Brainstorm answers: 

• Who: Productivity enthusiasts, students, and remote teams 🎯
• What: AI-generated summaries, voice-to-text, and seamless cloud sync 🧠
• Where: Launch on Product Hunt, the App Store, and Google Play 🌍
• When: Beta rollout in Q3, full launch in Q4, aligning with back-to-school season 📆
• Why: People need a smarter way to organize notes without manual effort 🔥
• How: Partner with tech influencers, run a launch giveaway, and track adoption via early user feedback 📈

🚀 Outcome: Instead of a scattered approach, your team builds a detailed, well-rounded launch plan that leaves no blind spots.

If you’re looking to dig deeper into challenges, try the ClickUp 5 Whys Brainstorming Template. 

Get Free Template

It offers a simple, stair-like step-by-step approach to identifying root causes. You can also explore a variety of other brainstorming templates here to fuel your creativity! 

10. Creating an employee engagement plan 📝

▶️ Scenario: Your company is struggling with low employee morale and wants fresh, practical engagement ideas that actually work.

✅ Approach: Use the round-robin brainstorming technique. Here’s how:

1️⃣ Form a group: Bring in HR, managers, and employees from different teams. 👥

2️⃣ State the problem: “How can we make work more engaging and meaningful?” 📝

3️⃣ One idea at a time: Each person shares one engagement strategy:

• HR: Monthly “Ask Me Anything” sessions with leadership 🗣️
• Manager: A peer recognition program with small rewards 🎁
• Engineer: “No-meeting Fridays” for focused work ⏳
• Designer: A creative hackathon every quarter 🎨
• Marketer: A “Lunch & Learn” where employees teach each other new skills 🍽️🎓

4️⃣ Keep going until the group generates 15-20 solid ideas.

🚀 Outcome: Instead of relying on generic engagement tactics, your company gets employee-driven solutions that feel authentic and effective.

Mastering these ideation techniques and understanding these brainstorming examples can elevate your brainstorming sessions and lead to breakthrough solutions.

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Enhancing Brainstorming with ClickUp

Enhancing your brainstorming sessions with the right tools can transform your scattered ideas into actionable plans. 

ClickUp, the everything app for work, offers a powerful set of features and tools created to streamline and enhance your brainstorming process. Let’s explore its standout features: 

ClickUp Whiteboards and MindMaps for visual brainstorming

Whiteboards are idea boards where your team can jot down creative ideas, draw connections, and collaborate in real time. 

ClickUp Whiteboards provide this interactive space, enabling teams to brainstorm as if they’re in the same room, even when miles apart. 

With a wide range of whiteboard templates, you can easily kickstart your sessions and add sticky notes, images, sketches, and more, making brainstorming dynamic and engaging.

For those who love structuring ideas visually, ClickUp Mind Maps are a gem. They help you transform fresh ideas into organized, beautiful diagrams. 

Mind maps offer a clear visual outline whether you’re solving problems or planning a project so you can share them effortlessly with your team, ensuring everyone is on the same page. s. 

ClickUp Tasks for actionable follow-ups

Brainstorming is just the beginning. Turning those ideas into actionable tasks is where the magic happens. With ClickUp Tasks, you can:

• Create tasks: Convert ideas into tasks directly from your brainstorming sessions
• Assign responsibilities: Delegate tasks to team members, ensuring clarity and accountability
• Set deadlines: Keep the momentum going by establishing timelines for each task
• Track progress: Monitor the status of tasks to ensure timely completion

This transition from ideation to execution ensures that great ideas don’t just stay on the board but come to life. 

ClickUp Docs for real-time collaboration 

Collaboration is at the heart of ClickUp Docs. Its integrated document features allow teams to:

• Create and share docs: Draft proposals, meeting notes, project plans and share them with your team
• Real-time editing: Multiple team members can edit documents simultaneously, ensuring everyone stays updated
• Comments and mentions: Facilitate discussions directly within documents by commenting and mentioning teammates, keeping all communications in context

By centralizing your brainstorming documents and collaboration tools, ClickUp Docs ensures that your team’s creative process is both efficient and effective. 

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Tips for Effective Brainstorming

Effective brainstorming sessions can transform a simple idea into a groundbreaking solution. Here are some tips to make your session more productive and enjoyable:

• 🎯 Set a clear objective: Define the problem or goal before you start. A well-defined focus keeps the team on track and ensures relevant ideas flow
•  🦄 Encourage moonshot ideas: Embrace creativity without judgment. Sometimes, the most unconventional ideas lead to innovative solutions
• 🤝 Build on others’ ideas: Collaborate by expanding on suggestions. This synergy can lead to more refined and effective concepts
• 👂 One conversation at a time: Ensure only one person speaks at a time. This respect fosters better listening and idea development
• ⏰ Set a time limit: Allocate a specific duration for the session. Time constraints can boost concentration and idea generation
•  🧑‍✈️ Appoint a facilitator: Have someone guide the session to maintain structure and encourage contributions from all participants

ClickUp Brain

Brainstorming sessions can get messy, with tons of ideas flying around. Instead of manually sorting everything, let ClickUp Brain do the work! 🧠✨

🔹 Summarize brainstorming sessions into clear takeaways
🔹 Auto-generate new ideas from discussions
🔹 Get AI-powered suggestions to refine ideas 

By using AI for your brainstorming process, you won’t lose great ideas—they’ll be instantly structured and ready for execution! 🚀

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Turn Brainstorming into Action with ClickUp! 

Brainstorming sessions spark brilliant ideas, but too often, they get lost in scattered notes, endless email threads, or forgotten whiteboards. Execution becomes chaotic, and momentum fades.

ClickUp turns ideas into action. It allows you to capture every thought, refine it with your team, and track progress—all in one place. Whether you’re planning a product launch, solving complex problems, or improving collaboration, ClickUp keeps everything organized and moving forward.

Don’t let great ideas go to waste. Sign up for ClickUp today!

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