FLIP CHART WHAT? The phrase “flip chart management” may sound a little ridiculous, but keeping and transcribing the notes from a brainstorm session is probably the least considered part of the process. And no, these suggestions aren’t likely to win you an account, get you a raise, or make you famous, but they will make it easier for you to capture ideas during the brainstorm; manage, organize and refer to ideas throughout the brainstorm; and transcribe the ideas after the brainstorm.

So, put these tips to work at least once and see if they don’t make your brainstorming life a little better.

(For an easy-to-use one-page handout of these tips, visit the download page or click here.)

1. BE KIND to the transcriber. Write as clearly as possible. If you use abbreviations, jargon or shorthand, give the transcriber a list of what they mean so he or she can spell them out.

2. USE A CLEAR TITLE at the head of each page. Base it on the focus of that particular part of the brainstorm or agenda. Use a distinct title for each phase of the brainstorm.

3. LETTER PAGES so whomever transcribes them knows what order they go in.

4. GROUP IDEAS BY FOCUS. If you’re brainstorming against one focus and someone has an idea that belongs with a previous focus, DON’T tack it onto your current page. Go pack to the last page of the right section and add the idea where it belongs. If you have to add a new page to an existing section, add a number to the lettering sequence (e.g., a page added between pages [D] and [E] would be [D-1])

5. NUMBER IDEAS so people can easily refer to an idea during discussion or when combining two ideas. People like to see the volume of ideas build. Don’t start fresh numbering sequences on each page. Keep numbering from where you left off.

6. INDENT SECONDARY POINTS. When elaborating on an idea, indent clearly so it’ll be obvious in the transcription that these are secondary points and not new main points.

7. ALTERNATE colors of markers if you can. It makes it easier to tell one idea from the next.

8. USE A PARKING LOT page to capture comments that require follow-up or other action and are not in and of themselves ideas contributing to the brainstorm.

9. HELP THE NOTE TAKER. Don’t speak all at once; summarize the idea to the note taker to help them capture it correctly; and make sure they’ve got it before moving on.

10. ASSEMBLE POST-IT PAGES IN ORDER AND STICKY-TO-STICKY. Pages should be assembled in order so they can be transcribed in order, and they should NOT be stacked with the sticky back of one on the written-upon face of another. They almost always tear or peel off the ink when you try to separate them. Instead, assemble them sticky-to-sticky (back-to-back). In other words, Page A goes sticky-to-sticky with Page B, which then lays on top of the Page C/Page D pair, and so on. That way you don’t have to fight tearing them apart and the person transcribing has each page in back-to-back order for easy reference.

11. BONUS TIP. Digital cameras are the best thing since sticky-back flip charts. Spare yourself the hassle of compiling the pages completely and simply take a shot of each page with your phone’s camera. Upload to your computer and transcribe away.

I hope you try at least a few of these tips. Let me know if they make a difference for you. In the meantime …

What other tips do you have for capturing ideas in a brainstorm?
 

 
© 2009 John Armato