Aivoriihien

Aivoriihien, often translated as "brainstorming" in English, is a group creativity technique used to generate a large number of ideas for the solution to a problem. The process typically involves a group of individuals coming together to freely express any ideas that come to mind. The core principle of aivoriihien is that quantity leads to quality; by encouraging a wide range of thoughts, even seemingly wild or impractical ones, the group increases the chances of discovering a truly innovative solution.

During an aivoriihien session, participants are encouraged to defer judgment. Criticism and evaluation are postponed until after the idea generation phase. This creates a safe environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their thoughts without fear of ridicule or rejection. Common rules for aivoriihien include encouraging wild ideas, building on the ideas of others, and staying focused on the topic at hand. The facilitator plays a crucial role in guiding the session, ensuring that the rules are followed and that all participants have an opportunity to contribute. Ideas are often recorded visibly for the group, such as on a whiteboard or flip chart, allowing participants to see and build upon each other's contributions. Once the idea generation period is complete, the group then moves on to a more analytical phase to evaluate, refine, and select the most promising ideas.