" (Mind Tools, 2004) However, individual brainstorming may not generate a sense of everyone working as a team towards a specific task effectively. Also, after a group dynamic is formed and a specific path has been decided upon, brainstorming as a technique must be used more judiciously. Once a specific course of action has been decided upon brainstorming can be used ineffectually to stall necessary but difficult decisions rather than generate truly productive results. During the brainstorming session, one team member should review the topic of the brainstorm using open-ended questions such as why, how, or what. For example, "The topic for the brainstorm is developing a training course on automobiles. What should we focus on as the content?" (Levine, 2001) Then, all members of the group can think silently, write down their ideas, and share their ideas with the group -- or share their ideas one after the other after a momentary pause of thought.

The use of brainstorming is ideal for open-ended queries, rather than task-specific...

An example of an inappropriate question for brainstorming might be, 'what should we do to correct the problem of the new computer virus X that is threatening our system,' as clearly not all solutions will work, and technical expertise is likely required to solve the problem that perhaps not all group members can provide. However, for general and creative problem solving ventures, brainstorming can be a key first step, where all ideas are welcome no matter how silly or far out they seem. Also, during later junctures of a project where creativity or a group 'block' must be overcome, brainstorming can again be useful, provided it is used to 'unblock' rather than stall the decision making process.
Works Cited

Brainstorming." (2004) Mind Tools. Retrieved 27 May 2005 at http://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html

Levine, Alan. (2001) "Brainstorming." Marcopia Lesson for Learning and Instruction. Retrieved 27 May 2005 at http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/authoring/studio/guidebook/brain.html