1 When to use the fast idea generator

Think back over the last few weeks of work. At any point, in trying to find a solution to a problem, did you choose a solution based on how things have always been done at your workplace or in your professional field? If you didn’t need to look for a solution during the last few weeks, can you think now of any part of your work practice that could use some improvement? (Hint: the honest answer is always yes!)

If the issue is one that has been addressed many times before, either by you or others, then it can be difficult to prevent your ideas from being restrained by that familiarity with the issue. Unless you’re a creative genius, or just very lucky, and immediately think up a brilliant solution, the best way to have a good idea is to generate a lot of ideas. That’s just what the Fast Idea Generator Tool enables you to do, helping to expand your thinking by asking you to explore the issue from a range of different perspectives.

You can effectively use the Fast Idea Generator Tool by yourself but, as with many of the tools in the DIY Toolkit, working through it in a group will help to generate the most ideas. Doing this using the Creative Workshop Tool (page 83 of the DIY Toolkit [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] ) would be particularly useful and appropriate.

The Fast Idea Generator Tool works best when you have already identified the issue that you want to address, be it a problem, challenge or opportunity. It will help you to broaden your thinking and create discussion among stakeholders to test ideas in depth before committing time and other resources to developing a detailed solution.