Expanding input through brainwriting

Brainwriting is a structured alternative to brainstorming that shifts the process from spoken discussion to written idea sharing. Each participant starts by writing down several ideas in a set amount of time. After that, the sheets or digital documents are passed along so others can expand on them. This cycle continues until a wide set of ideas has been generated. The written format reduces the influence of louder personalities, helping quieter participants contribute on equal terms.

The benefit of brainwriting lies in both quantity and diversity. Because people see and build on each other’s notes, the group often generates more varied and unexpected concepts than they would through conversation alone. It also prevents groupthink, since everyone contributes independently before seeing others’ thoughts. Over time, teams discover ideas that might not have emerged in traditional meetings, making brainwriting particularly useful for early ideation stages where openness is more valuable than refinement.^[1]