6-3-5 Brainwriting
6 people write 3 ideas in 5 minutes, then pass papers clockwise.
Explanation
Developed by Bernd Rohrbach in 1968, this structured technique generates 108 ideas in just 30 minutes. Six participants write three ideas on worksheets within five minutes, then pass their sheets to the right. Each round builds on previous ideas, creating a snowball effect of creativity while eliminating the dominance issues of verbal brainstorming.
Real-World Example
Marketing team improving customer onboarding: Round 1: Email sequence, video tutorials, checklist. Round 2: Personalized emails based on user role, interactive tutorials, gamified checklist with badges. Round 3: AI-generated emails, VR tutorials, collaborative team checklists. Result: 108 ideas spanning practical to innovative.
How to Apply
Gather exactly 6 people. Create worksheets with 3 columns and 6 rows. Set timer for 5 minutes per round. After each round, pass sheets clockwise and build on existing ideas. Continue for 6 rounds total. Combine related ideas afterward. Works well remotely with shared documents and timers.