Brainstorming

Correct Answer: One facilitator for every 8-12 participants

The optimal ratio of one facilitator for every 8-12 participants is considered the industry standard for brainstorming sessions because: - It provides balanced attention to all participants while maintaining efficient session flow - Allows the facilitator to effectively capture and manage ideas from the group - Enables proper time management and equal participation opportunities - Creates a manageable group dynamic that promotes open discussion The other options are suboptimal because: - Having one facilitator for 15-20 participants creates too large a group, making it difficult to manage discussions and capture all ideas effectively - Using two facilitators for 5-7 participants is excessive and can create unnecessary overhead and potential confusion in leadership - Having one facilitator for 3-5 participants is too resource-intensive and may limit the diversity of ideas generated in the session

Correct Answer: It reduces groupthink by having participants write ideas individually before sharing

The Crawford Slip Method is a brainstorming technique where participants silently write down their ideas on individual slips of paper. The primary advantage is that it helps prevent groupthink by allowing participants to think and contribute independently before sharing with the group. This method ensures that: - Each participant can contribute ideas freely - Dominant personalities cannot overshadow quieter team members - Ideas are generated independently before group discussion - All participants have equal opportunity to contribute The other options are incorrect because: - Working in alternating pairs is not a feature of the Crawford Slip Method and would actually increase the potential for interpersonal influence - The method does not inherently categorize ideas based on complexity or impact - The technique does not involve timed rounds of verbal sharing; it emphasizes written, independent idea generation

Correct Answer: To generate fresh insights by comparing the problem to unrelated scenarios or objects

Metaphorical Thinking in brainstorming is primarily used to generate new perspectives and insights by drawing comparisons between the current problem and seemingly unrelated objects, scenarios, or situations. This technique helps participants break free from conventional thinking patterns. The correct answer captures the essence of this technique - it enables fresh insights through unexpected comparisons, which can lead to innovative solutions. The other options are incorrect because: - Enhancing team collaboration is a potential benefit but not the primary purpose of metaphorical thinking - Creating structured analogies from past projects is more related to lessons learned or analogous estimation techniques - Developing a systematic categorization approach is more aligned with affinity diagrams or other organizational techniques Metaphorical thinking is specifically designed to help teams view problems through new lenses by making creative comparisons, leading to innovative problem-solving approaches and unique solutions.