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Description

Facilitating a Brainstorming Session: Framing the Question, Generating and Sorting Ideas

Run a short session that generates a high volume of ideas and then retain the few that are genuinely useful

  • 0.43 days — 3 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

Brainstorming sessions are often launched without preparation: the opening question stays vague, criticism arrives by the third idea, and the session ends once the quickest speakers have had their say. The write-up is then reduced to a list that nobody picks up again.

Three hours online to master the flow of a session: preparing the question and the group, generating ideas without filtering, re-energising the group when output dries up, then sorting before closing. The format focuses on brainstorming itself rather than on the full range of creativity techniques.

Learning objectives

  • Formulate an open and workable opening question
  • Set the ground rules for the session and enforce them
  • Re-energise idea generation when the group runs out of steam
  • Organise the sorting of ideas at the end of the session
  • Write a summary that commits the group to a next step

What makes this programme different

Each participant facilitates a re-energising sequence in front of the group and receives immediate feedback
The standard session flow is provided as a timed facilitation script
The specific constraints of remote facilitation are built into the session flow

Programme

1Preparing the session

A precise question and a suitable group

  • Turning a broad topic into an opening question
  • Selecting participants and setting the duration
  • Preparing the physical space or the collaborative tool
  • Announcing the rules and the intended use of the ideas

2Generating ideas

Quantity first, judgement later

  • Launching idea generation and maintaining the pace
  • Suspending criticism and feasibility debates
  • Re-energising through association and shifting perspective
  • Encouraging participants to build on each other's ideas

3Sorting and closing

Not leaving the output without a follow-up

  • Grouping and clarifying the proposals
  • Selecting against a stated criterion
  • Identifying the ideas worth exploring further
  • Writing a short summary

Who is it for

Managers, project managers and group facilitators who occasionally run idea-generation sessions.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

12 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.