Brainstorm

The Brainstorm function speeds the entry of new topics when you are creating a new map or adding content to an existing map. When you've finished the brainstorming session you can drag the results in the map to structure your ideas. You can use an Analysis View as a complement to brainstorming to rate and categorize your topics.

The Brainstorm tool does not work if you have read-only permission for a map. Check with the map's owner or your system administrator to change a map's permissions.
If you want to limit your session to a certain amount of time use the Timer tool to set a countdown clock before you begin that will alert you when the time is up.

You can also use the components of the brainstorming tool independently at any time.

Start a Brainstorm session

Begin a new map, and enter the name of the problem or issue you want to resolve as the central topic.
On the Home tab, in the Tools group, click Brainstorm.
The Brainstorm task pane opens.

Step 1: Define Challenges

Define a set of challenges that are added to the map as main topics.

At the top of the pane, click Define Challenges.
Click Custom challenges to generate your own challenges, or click Predefined challenges to choose challenges from a list of possibilities. Each challenge you choose is added to the map. Use the tabs in the dialog that appears to switch between Custom and Predefined challenge entry.
Record all your potential challenges - don't worry about ordering or prioritizing them yet.
Step through the Challenge Inspiration Cards at the bottom of the pane to help generate ideas.

Hints for using card decks ▼

Step 2: Generate ideas

Select the challenge you want to address on your map.
Click Generate Ideas at the top of the pane, and then click Enter ideas.
Use the Inspiration Cards at the bottom of the pane to help you generate ideas.

Step 3: Categorize and refine

Add topics to help you group the ideas that address your challenges:

Select a challenge topic whose ideas you want to group, then click Categorize & Refine.
Select one or more categorization branch names from the pull-down, and then click Add branches to map.
Drag and drop each idea onto its group.

Add topics to further refine each idea:

Select an idea topic on the map.
Select one or more refinement branch names from the pull-down, and then click Add branches to topic.

Use Brainstorm functions independently

You can use the Brainstorm functions independently to help you generate the types of topics you want.