idéation

idéation (also ideation) is the process of generating, developing, and communicating new ideas. It is a core element of creative problem solving and is often understood as the first stage of design thinking, where teams explore a broad space of potential solutions before narrowing the field.

Etymology and scope: the term derives from the idea concept, with -ation forming a nominal process. In English and French usage, idéation emphasizes idea generation and exploration rather than immediate implementation.

Methods and practices: idéation relies on divergent thinking to produce many possibilities, followed by convergent thinking to assess feasibility. Common techniques include brainstorming, brainwriting, mind mapping, sketching, and structured approaches such as SCAMPER or nominal group technique. Sessions are often facilitated to encourage participation and suspend judgment.

Applications: idéation is used in product design, software development, marketing, education, and policy development, among other fields. It supports innovation by expanding the range of potential solutions and by surfacing user-centered ideas.

Challenges and considerations: biases, group dynamics, and domination by certain participants can constrain outcomes. Effective ideation requires a safe environment, clear goals, timeboxing, and methods to document and later evaluate ideas.

History and context: the concept has roots in creativity research and design thinking. While brainstorming prefigured formal ideation, contemporary practice emphasizes structured, collaborative idea generation as a discrete stage in problem solving.