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Present a theme.
Ask participants to write Organise cards into Sort categories into sub- Refine sub-categories into
down as many ideas as categories of 50-100 categories of 20-30 groups of 10 cards or less.
possible onto small cards cards. cards.
(limit length to 20-30
Japanese characters or
similar).
Hang up a large sheet of paper Relax Write down all ideas that come Record all ideas in such a way as
or use a white board. to mind (these may be related to make their meaning and
or unrelated, or different relationships understandable.
perspectives on the theme).
This should generate a
conceptual, visual map.
Gather into groups of five While each person Collect, sort and line up
(this is the traditionally explains their ideas, the cards. Group them into
recognized optimum others write down any related themes.
number for group work in ideas that come to mind.
Japan).
New groups of two or Groups organize ideas into All ideas are written on the
three people are formed – themes and announce whiteboard.
themes are brainstormed them to the whole group.
for half an hour while
participants continue to
write down their ideas.
Participants form groups of ten people and all ideas
on the whiteboard are brainstormed one at a time.
Lotus Blossom “...simple, open-ended structure that allows for systematically
linking new ideas.”
(Matsumura Yasuo)
Write eight related ideas or These eight ideas then Repeat n-times as desired.
applications of the idea become central themes in
around the central theme. themselves.
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