Reverse Brainstorming

Before

Pre-work: Think through the brainstorm question and the reverse brainstorming question, to ensure they are relevant to the desired outcome.

During

1. At the beginning of the session, the group has to clearly identify the problem or challenge, and write it down.

2. In the following, the original problem definition is reversed and put into either of the following forms: "How could I possibly cause the problem?", or "How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?"

The reversal effect is achieved by turning a question such as "How do I solve this problem?" into "How could I possibly cause the problem?", also by reversing "How do I achieve certain results?" into "How could I possibly achieve the opposite of the desired effect?"

3. Now the group begins to brainstorm on the new problem definition, by thinking of solutions for the reverse problem. It is important that the facilitator allows the participants to let their ideas flow freely. Any suggestion might deliver an effective reverse solution.

4. As soon as the participants have gathered all ideas or suggestions for the reverse problem, they will now reverse these ideas in order to turn them into solutions for the original problem or challenge.

5. In the end, the group reflects and evaluates on the newly developed solutions. The group has to evaluate if there is a potential solution among the reversed solutions and try to identify attributes of a potential solution.

Method for online facilitation:

1. Participants are free to enter ideas for the reverse problem in the virtual chat. Other participants get to see them and continue to silently brainstorm via chat. Alternatively, participants type their ideas on an online whiteboard tool that is visible to everyone.

2. Facilitator to retrieve all ideas (for the reverse problem) from virtual chat, and divide the list for each sub-group (smaller groups) to reverse the ideas in their virtual breakout rooms.

3. Final big group discussion to consolidate, review, reflect and evaluate on the newly developed solutions.

See a 30 minute demonstration of this method, recorded during the IAF Facilitators' Gym in October 2022:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HarRWfQePCs&list=PLxbcsN1z1FN6w3E3D5arHEUjbi4UuJEiz&index=10 

After

Usual or Expected Outcomes: Alternative routes to solving a problem are discovered throughout the brainstorm.

Potential pitfalls: The brainstorm does not deliver helpful results, or no results different than those of a normal brainstorm.

How success is evaluated: Good participation by the group and having successfully discovered essential elements of the problem, which will help to develop solutions.