18/August/2021
Tool 3: Brainstorming techniques using google sheets Brainstorming sheet - Google Sheets
In-Class Instruction: Spruha and I were asked to brief the class about what is brainstorming, tools that could be used for brainstorming, ideation strategies used, and decision matrix. As this was already taught to us in our HCI course last year, it was fun and helpful to recall those concepts by teaching them to the class
In-Class Activity: We were divided into groups of 4 where two were from a senior batch and two were from the junior batches, mostly to maintain coherent interactions amidst seniors and juniors. Instruction was given to us to brainstorm ideas and come to a consensus with a single idea as a team that we would ultimately design using TinkerCAD. To brainstorm, we were provided with google sheets where we could collaborate by interacting with each other in our team breakout rooms.
Outcome of the class activity:
We extensively worked as a team, following a step-by-step academic approach to trace our ideas and arrive at a final solution.
We made sure to be inclusive of our thoughts as a team while also being ethically right in our decisions. To achieve that, we followed the standard approach of choosing a final decision.
We were able to systematically arrive at a possible solution that would have been biased and chaotic or worse, missed important elements if it weren't for the brainstorming techniques that we did via the sheets.
Timely completion of the problem statement and final idea conclusion
Pros of the tool
Brainstorming technique is in my opinion an indispensable method or tool of design that becomes increasingly important while in a large production company or when dealing with high value or risky raw materials.
Google sheets was rather a simple and efficient tool that was free, easily accessible, easily modifiable, and served the representation purpose quite well.
Saves a lot of time and makes the group thinking visible and accessible to all to deduce and suggest changes.
Cons of the tool
I guess the only con is to arrive at a final solution when there are too many objections from the team or when the calculated results weigh equally to everyone's ideas.
Next step: To model the idea using TinkerCAD