Adding Ideas and Putting Them into Categories

Sometimes a prepared list of Categories helps participants think more broadly about an issue or problem statement. Create Categories in advance of a brainstorm activity if you want participants to add their ideas into Categories for themselves. Use the Topic Mode of Brainstorm - Quick Cat as described above to add Categories before the brainstorm begins.

Categories display in the brainstorm screen as soon as they are created. The Add an Idea area includes a Category pull-down menu. The Electronic Flip Chart is automatically sorted by Category.

Best Practice - Think about Categories as Part of your Meeting Plan

Create Categories before, during or after a brainstorm. Whatever your approach: think about the Categories or themes that you EXPECT to turn up as you prepare your meeting plan. This will help you get the categorization started quickly and smoothly - you'll get 80% done before you need to think about any new Categories the group has come up with.