The five stages of an effective brainstorm | Figma Blog

Effective brainstorming requires more than generating creative ideas: it depends on preparation, inclusive facilitation, focused ideation, and a clear path toward action. Figma recommends creating psychological safety while also giving participants structure, context, and a shared goal. The process should ultimately turn divergent ideas into tangible outcomes.

Prepare and Plan Ahead

• Explain why each participant was invited and how they can contribute.
• Share pre-reading, briefs, or collaborative files before the session.
• Use short pre-meetings with key stakeholders to gather feedback and address concerns early.
• Treat the work before and after the meeting as just as important as the brainstorm itself.

Make Introductions and Manage Expectations

• Begin with an icebreaker, such as drawing an animal or creating collaborator cards, to encourage a creative mindset.
• Establish shared rules for participation, including expectations about attention and multitasking.
• Clearly explain the brainstorm’s purpose and acknowledge that not every idea will be used.
• Facilitators should create an open, inclusive environment where people feel comfortable contributing.

Generate Ideas

• Use adaptable templates as “recipes” rather than starting from a blank canvas each time.
• Lower the barrier to participation with prompts such as “How might we…?” or simple warm-up exercises.
• Define a “north star” that states what problem the group is solving and what it should produce.
• Encourage ambitious ideas by making the session playful, including small rewards for especially creative suggestions.

Share Artifacts and Outcomes

• Move deliberately from divergent idea generation toward convergence and prioritization.
• Ask questions and refine suggestions rather than accepting ideas at face value.
• Evaluate ideas against the session’s shared goal or “north star.”
• Ensure the brainstorm produces useful artifacts and clear tactical direction, rather than ending with a collection of disconnected ideas.

The provided text ends partway through the fourth stage, so details of the fifth stage are not included.