brainstormingcan

Brainstormingcan is a term used to describe a collaborative ideation approach that combines traditional brainstorming with a structured idea capture mechanism, often referred to as a “can.” The concept emphasizes gathering ideas in a centralized repository so they can be revisited, sorted, and evaluated after the initial generation phase. It is used in various fields such as product design, software development, and education to balance free-flowing creativity with organized processing.

The process typically unfolds in stages. First, a clear problem or goal is stated, and participants are encouraged to generate ideas in a time-boxed session while suspending judgment. Ideas are then deposited into the can, which can be a physical container with paper slips or a digital collection. After the generation window closes, the contents of the can are curated: ideas are clarified, duplicates are merged, and categories or themes are identified. Finally, a selection phase prioritizes ideas for further development, often using voting, scoring, or impact-effort analysis.

Variants of brainstormingcan differ in how the can is implemented. Physical can sessions rely on tangible slips of paper and a facilitator to guide discussion, while digital versions use idea management software that simulates the can and supports tagging, filtering, and collaboration across remote teams. The approach is valued for promoting participation, reducing social barriers, and creating a transparent trail from idea generation to decision making.

Limitations include potential delays in idea retrieval, the need for effective facilitation, and the risk of overloading the can with low-quality inputs if not properly moderated. Brainstormingcan is closely related to other ideation methods such as brainwriting, design thinking, and structured brainstorming.