Brainwriting

Brainwriting is an intuitive and progressive method where people generate ideas systematically through a written medium, in this case writing on paper before passing to the next person. Unlike brainstorming, brainwriting allows for more participation and in some cases, includes the pressure of time.

6-3-5 Brainwriting
The 6-3-5 method of brainwriting was originally coined by a German marketing professional, Bernd Rohrbach, in hopes of stimulating creativity when working with innovation processes. Essentially it requires 6 participants to write down 3 ideas they can think of within 5 minutes, hence the name 6-3-5.

Advantages:

 * Very straightforward and easy to learn, and there is no need for a supervisor
 * In sharing and exchanging knowledge, it gives value to the different backgrounds, fields of expertise and general knowledge that each participant has. This also ensures active participation from all members.
 * There is also no need for a notetaker/recorder/scribe, since all new ideas are written on the papers given. This also allows for the tracking of the authors of different ideas.
 * As the number of participants are increased, an exponential increase in ideas generated can be seen, producing an economic benefit and increased efficiency.
 * The pressure of a time limit might spur some participants who work well under pressure to produce more wild, and sometimes more creative ideas.

Disadvantages:

 * As brainwriting is done through a written medium, it may prove difficult for participants who have trouble summarising their ideas or expressing them in words compared to pictures.
 * Stress due to the 5 minute time constraint can hinder participants who cannot work well under pressure, or takes time for them to be accustomed with this method.
 * Without immediate vocal discussion, there might be a clash of common or similar ideas, which ultimately constitutes a loss of possible innovation.

See Also:

 * Brainstorming