Solo brainstorming uses a clear prompt, short sprints, and deliberate perspective shifts. A later group sees all ideas anonymised and separates author status from content.

1. 1

   Set prompt

   Set prompt

   

   Goal

   Produce solo brief so the core question “Which solution options can each person develop independently before collective synthesis?” can be answered with stronger support.

   Inputs for this step

   • focused ideation prompt
   • research snapshot
   • submission format and deadline

   Actions

   • Provide problem, user, evidence, and no-gos compactly.
   • Record source, rationale, and open uncertainty directly in solo brief.

   Output

   solo brief

   solo brief · source · uncertainty · next decision

   Quality check

   Can the prompt be used without clarification?

   Pitfall

   The first idea dominates every sprint or later evaluation follows the author's authority. Introduce a new constraint or perspective prompt and anonymise submissions before synthesis.

   Timing: 10–20 minutes

2. 2

   Run sprints

   Run sprints

   

   Goal

   Produce idea set so the core question “Which solution options can each person develop independently before collective synthesis?” can be answered with stronger support.

   Inputs for this step

   • solo brief
   • research snapshot
   • submission format and deadline

   Actions

   • Run three short rounds with changing stimuli.
   • Record source, rationale, and open uncertainty directly in idea set.

   Output

   idea set

   idea set · source · uncertainty · next decision

   Quality check

   Do mechanisms differ rather than just surfaces?

   Pitfall

   The first idea dominates every sprint or later evaluation follows the author's authority. Introduce a new constraint or perspective prompt and anonymise submissions before synthesis.

   Timing: 10–20 minutes

3. 3

   Submit

   Submit

   

   Goal

   Produce anonymous pack so the core question “Which solution options can each person develop independently before collective synthesis?” can be answered with stronger support.

   Inputs for this step

   • idea set
   • research snapshot
   • submission format and deadline

   Actions

   • Submit ideas in a common format with assumption and sketch.
   • Record source, rationale, and open uncertainty directly in anonymous pack.

   Output

   anonymous pack

   anonymous pack · source · uncertainty · next decision

   Quality check

   Is authorship hidden for review?

   Pitfall

   The first idea dominates every sprint or later evaluation follows the author's authority. Introduce a new constraint or perspective prompt and anonymise submissions before synthesis.

   Timing: 10–20 minutes

4. 4

   Synthesize

   Synthesize

   

   Goal

   Produce test selection so the core question “Which solution options can each person develop independently before collective synthesis?” can be answered with stronger support.

   Inputs for this step

   • anonymous pack
   • research snapshot
   • submission format and deadline

   Actions

   • Cluster mechanisms and select contrasting tests.
   • Record source, rationale, and open uncertainty directly in test selection.

   Output

   test selection

   test selection · source · uncertainty · next decision

   Quality check

   Is selection based on learning value and problem fit?

   Pitfall

   The first idea dominates every sprint or later evaluation follows the author's authority. Introduce a new constraint or perspective prompt and anonymise submissions before synthesis.

   Timing: 10–20 minutes