Innovation Workshop method
Makes different ideas visible by giving everyone an equal turn.
Ideas are shared in a fixed order: one idea per person per round, with passing allowed. Evaluation follows collection. This guide uses the spoken turn-taking variant.
Which different ideas emerge when everyone receives an equal turn?
Preparation
Explain question, order and rules: one idea per turn, passing allowed, no evaluation.
Idea rounds
Capture one idea per person in fixed order and record it visibly and faithfully.
Grouping
After collection, clarify unclear ideas and group similar contributions with consent.
Selection
State selection criteria and choose a few ideas for further examination.
After several rounds or the agreed endpoint, clarify the collection and select using explicit criteria.
For groups where spontaneous contributions crowd out some voices.
Unevaluated idea list from several rounds, then clarified clusters and a reasoned shortlist.
The shortlist explains the selection and identifies owners and the next test step.
Fictional example
Ideas are shared in a fixed order: one idea per person per round, with passing allowed. Evaluation follows collection. This guide uses the spoken turn-taking variant.
Record question, order, time limit and passing rule.
Fictional: how can we ease course starts? Order Lea, Jan, Nora; two rounds, passing allowed.
Capture ideas separately with neutral IDs.
I1 Lea: room map the previous day. I2 Jan: test access. I3 Nora: central contact.
Capture new contributions and deliberate passing.
I4 Lea: morning reminder. Jan passes. I5 Nora: instructor checklist.
Which ideas will be pursued using which criteria?
Advance information: I1/I4/I5. Access: I2. Help: I3. I1 is tested first for quick implementation and direct orientation value.
All example details are fictional and illustrate the application.
Prepare one question, fixed order and visible recording; allow silent thinking before the first round.
With unevenly distributed speaking time, the method brings every person into the contribution one after another. It prevents early voices from setting the direction while still producing a shared idea space. This makes participation plannable and the team's diversity visible.
The order steers the flow, so contributions don't run into each other and each round can build on the previous one. Because everyone adds in turn, the material grows in a controlled way and stays comparable. The format carries weight when fairness and team dynamics shape idea quality.
Round Robin Brainstorming works well because contributions are brought in turn by turn, reliably giving quieter voices room. The method takes effect when each round builds on what exists while the group still keeps enough freedom for new directions. Stability comes from a clear question, a brisk rhythm, and subsequent condensing, so equal distribution doesn't become mere formality.
Clarify the order at the start and the expectation that every person contributes something or builds further on an existing point. A warning sign is when the circle only produces repetition; then a change of perspective or a short collection break helps. Close with clusters and visibly name which thoughts especially benefited from the round-robin format.
The method guide walks execution through 4 phases, timing, 4 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.
Open method guideYour perspective
Your feedback helps shape the next improvements to methodatlas.
Prepare one question, fixed order and visible recording; allow silent thinking before the first round.
To be confirmed
To be confirmed
Complete cycle Time: 20–45 minutes
Complete this worksheet on paper or in your own document during the work.
Record question, order, time limit and passing rule.
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Capture ideas separately with neutral IDs.
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Capture new contributions and deliberate passing.
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Which ideas will be pursued using which criteria?
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Answer the prompts with your own information. Explicitly mark unknowns and assumptions.
Expected artifact: Shared round rule
Does everyone know the order and right to pass?
Entry:
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Expected artifact: Broad idea list
Does everyone receive the same opportunity each round?
Entry:
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Expected artifact: Clarified idea clusters
Are groupings confirmed in meaning?
Entry:
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Expected artifact: Reasoned shortlist
Does selection follow criteria rather than volume?
Entry:
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Method guide: https://methodatlas.meierhoff-systems.de/en/methods/round-robin-brainstorming/run-sheet
Fitting alternatives with decision guidance, followed by other related methods.
Instead of Round Robin Brainstorming, when you want to use Brainwriting to enable silent, parallel idea generation without individual voices dominating.
Varies a starting idea across seven targeted change questions and condenses approaches into a concept shortlist.
A strict timebox pushes quick idea volume first, then clusters and selects options after the burst is complete.
Opens the idea space, bundles contributions into theme clusters, and condenses them into a shortlist for the next step.
Expands a core question into topic fields, filters out patterns, and condenses interesting paths into a shortlist.
Deliberately flips the question toward the negative to expose risk themes and derive solid solution ideas from them.
