idéjournal

An idéjournal is a personal or collaborative repository designed to capture, organize, and develop ideas. The term, formed from idé (idea) and journal (logbook), is used in Nordic contexts to describe a structured space for creative thought, problem solving, and project planning. It serves as a memory aid that helps ideas survive beyond spontaneous notes.

The main purpose of an idéjournal is to provide a durable record of ideas at various stages, from initial spark to refined concept. It supports brainstorming, conceptualization, and the management of ideas for research, product development, or academic work. Users typically aim to preserve context, sources, and rationale, making it easier to revisit and build on previous thinking.

Entries in an idéjournal often include a title, date, a concise summary, and tags or categories. Many entries carry status indicators (concept, prototype, validated) and links to related ideas. Beyond text, they may incorporate sketches, diagrams, images, or references. The journal can be kept in analog form, digital documents, or dedicated apps, and may employ templates to standardize capture and review.

The workflow usually involves regular capture, clarification, development, decision, and reflection. Some journals support versioning and cross-linking, enabling collaboration among teams while maintaining individual authorship and privacy controls. Benefits include reduced loss of ideas, increased traceability, and structured creativity; challenges include potential organizational overhead, information overload, and concerns about intellectual property.

In practice, an idéjournal intersects with knowledge management, design thinking, and idea management, offering a flexible framework for sustaining and advancing ideas over time.