How do you facilitate cross-functional team brainstorming and problem-solving?

🎯Define a clear purpose, scope, and desired outcome for the session. 📝Share the agenda and problem statement in advance. 🔄Encourage team members to prepare questions and ideas beforehand. 🛠Use facilitation tools like whiteboards or collaboration software. 👥Promote an open and inclusive environment for idea sharing. 📊Break the problem into smaller parts for focused discussions. 💬Rotate roles to give everyone a chance to lead and contribute. 📅Schedule follow-up sessions to refine and implement solutions.

Sharing the pointers from my experience : > Define a clear goal/agenda for the session. > Break the ice - a short engaging/warm exercise will help the members open up for the session > Changing the typical environment can be a game-changer for the session too. > Set ground rules to ensure everyone feels involved and avoid cutting each other's ideas. > Document all ideas, as any idea could be valuable (some can be valuable later as well). > Conclude the session with the ideas that will help achieve the goal on a common ground. > Follow-up sessions to refine and prioritize the solutions leading to the completion of the goal. The most important part of the session is to make everyone feel involved in the activity!

People can be an effective member in guiding their team when they know the team's background and know where the team is now and in which direction it wants to move. What is the vision of the team and what is its mission.

Here’s an acronym i use to facilitate cross-functional team brainstorming and problem-solving: "CREATE" Collaborate: Encourage open communication and active participation from all team members. Respect: Value each member’s input and perspectives, ensuring every voice is heard. Explore: Use diverse ideas and approaches to expand the problem-solving scope. Assess: Evaluate ideas based on their feasibility, impact, and alignment with goals. Test: Implement small-scale trials or prototypes to test the most promising solutions. Evolve: Iterate and refine ideas based on feedback and results, adapting as necessary.

Facilitating cross-functional team brainstorming and problem-solving involves several key steps: Define the Problem: Start by clearly defining the problem or challenge that the team needs to address. Ensure that everyone understands the scope, objectives, and desired outcomes of the brainstorming session. Invite Diverse Perspectives: Encourage participation from team members representing different departments, disciplines, and backgrounds. Diverse perspectives can lead to more creative and innovative solutions.

One of my favourite methods for a cross-functional team collaboration is LEGO® Serious Play®. It allows team members to utilize creativity and hands-on interaction. One key benefit of Lego Serious Play is its ability to break down communication barriers and encourage equal participation within a team. The tactile and visual nature of building with Lego bricks helps team members express their ideas and thoughts more comfortably, allowing for a more inclusive and productive brainstorming session. It's always fun and the documentation after is a keeper too. It's easy to do virtual or in-person in small teams of 5 as well as large groups of 100 . Perfect for Project Kick-Off's or Review workshops.

In my experience, mixing visual thinking with the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) could really boost our team brainstorming and problem-solving. NGT lets everyone throw in their ideas independently, dodging the usual steamrolling by louder voices. When we sketch these ideas out—using mind maps or digital boards—it makes everything click, no matter how complex. Plus, tools like Miro help us sort and refine these ideas together, no matter if we're face-to-face or miles apart. This combo ensures everyone's heard and we nail down solutions that actually make sense for us all.

It's my experience that establishing the clear purpose and scope is best accomplished within the session. Example: I do some training for Long-Term Care Managers. Their Regulations talk about the need to offer care that recognizes/highlights individual dignity and autonomy. That sounds GREAT...what I've found, though, is that--while everyone nods their head affirmatively when those two terms are used...when I ask them to print their definition [and PRINTING is an important action, BTW] I find...almost 100% of the time the definitions are different. The result: a Common Mission AND an unexpected Team Building Exercise...all in one!

-Choose structured methods like Six Thinking Hats or SCAMPER for diverse perspectives and creative ideas. -Use open-ended techniques like Brainwriting or Nominal Group Technique for inclusive participation. -Match the method to the complexity of the problem for thorough exploration. -Facilitate discussions effectively to ensure all voices are heard and ideas are captured. -Stay flexible and adapt methods during the session to encourage engagement and innovation.

I don't believe any of us can "make sure" that our Team Members understand and agree...I, typically, simulate a situation that could give rise to the behaviors/thought processes I am wanting to be present in the workplace. Early on in my career, I remember a research study that indicated what an individual does in a simulated situation is likely to be the same behavior with which they will present when the real situation occurs...87% of the time. In my experience, that 87% figure is most often spot on!

-Establish communication rules for respectful and effective interactions. -Define norms for sharing ideas openly and without judgment. -Set guidelines for constructive feedback exchanges. -Outline methods to resolve disagreements respectfully. -Assign roles like facilitator, recorder, timekeeper, or devil's advocate for smooth session management and documentation.

A inclusão de todos é a grande sacada para o alcance da meta, se tratando de trabalho multinacional, todos têm muito a contribuir, e usando técnicas de inclusão o crescimento é exponencial.

Let everyones different ideas and ways of thinking be a part of the teams thinking and solving This way many different solutions come up making it easier to find the best one "Creative Confidence" by Tom Kelley and David Kelley

After a cross-functional brainstorm, keep the momentum going with regular follow-ups. It shouldn't feel like a 'dump and run' for those who contributed. Maintain engagement and enthusiasm by summarizing the main ideas and actions, and sharing them with the wider team. Clearly outline the next steps, assigning tasks and deadlines so everyone knows their responsibilities. Regular check-ins with sub-groups will help track progress and address any blockers. Celebrate achievements or positive actions that originated from the brainstorm with everyone involved.

To facilitate cross functional team brainstorming and problem solving, start by establishing a clear purpose and scope to guide the session. Choose an appropriate method and format that suits the team's needs, such as workshops or virtual meetings. Set ground rules and norms to ensure productive and respectful interactions. Encourage diversity and inclusion by welcoming different perspectives and ideas. Keep the momentum by actively engaging participants and following up on action items to ensure progress and accountability.