Using Quality Improvement Tools
Brainstorming
What: An approach to generate a checklist of problems, opportunities, and/or ideas to address an issue. The technique encourages participation fro mall members of a group and is focused on idea generation only, and not the relevant merits of an idea.
When: Useful at different stages of the QI process and can help to:
- Identify the source of a specific problem
- Identify alternative solutions to a problem or mechanisms for addressing an issue
Why: Brainstorming can generate a list of ideas from all team members involved in a process while eliminating criticism, argument, or negativism that can stifle contributions.
How:
- Assemble the team and clearly state the purpose and rules of the brainstorming session
- Ask participants to contribute an idea to the question under discussion one at a time, using a round-robin approach
- Record each idea without discussion, criticism, or compliment
- Allow members to build on/expand the ideas of other group members
- Encourage, but don't require, contributions from everyone [allow individuals to "pass"]
- When there are not additional contributions, clarify the items and eliminate duplicates
This is a summary of the steps presented in the IHI guidelines on brainstorming sessions.