# 9 Creative ideas generation

What is it?
Creative ideas generation involves generating an environment at meetings that is conducive to stimulating innovative ideas.

How could I use it?
1.    Open Space
Open space is founded on the principle that the most valuable part of conferences is the networking and discussion that happens during coffee breaks. Therefore Open Space events have no keynote speakers and no pre-announced agendas or workshops. At the beginning of a conference (or event), participants raise ideas about what they would like to discuss. These ideas are written on a large sheet of paper, posted to the wall and announced to the group. Attendees then congregate in groups and meetings follow. 
A process of self-organisation is created and each individual is responsible for managing their own needs. Open space is an excellent way of generating an environment where ideas flow freely amongst participants as they are not constrained by time or schedule.

2.    Fishbowls aim to increase involvement and understanding of the topic at hand. A fishbowl session begins with an inner group of participants sitting around a table having a discussion.  This group is surrounded by a larger group that listens to the discussion and contribute. After a pre-arranged time, the groups swap over, and the new group leads the discussion. Participants tend to leave the meetings with a better understanding of the different opinions that were discussed and opinions considered. This method can be effectively used by local authorities as a means of building on commonalities between different groups.

3.    Related worlds
The related worlds exercise aims to encourages interest groups to think about other organisations that are confronted with issues similar to their own. By distancing themselves from their immediate problems and looking at problems hypothetically new ideas and approaches can often be generated.

4.     ‘Six thinking hats’ and ‘Lateral Thinking’
The six thinking hats activity is aimed at generating new ideas. During the exercise participants put on a different hat – each with its own point of view. The six hats include: a white hat for data-based thinking, a red hat for intuitive thinking, a black hat for critical thinking, and a green hat for generative thinking.

This approach can be coupled with De Bono’s other method of ‘Lateral Thinking’, where people are encouraged to find a solution to a challenging problem through unorthodox methods rather than simply accepting what appears to be the most logical solution and moving on. Using De Bono’s theories, local authorities can facilitate an environment where lateral thinking and thinking ‘outside the box’ are encouraged in order to promote creative ideas to challenging solutions.

Where has it been used?
•    East Sussex County Council used open space facilitation methods during a conference it held on issues concerning older people. Older people attended and it was decided that open space allowed the most meaningful involvement, as the older people were able to decide which discussions should be given priority.

•    Croydon Council teaches leaders six thinking hats, open space and lateral thinking, amongst other techniques as part of their in-house Leadership Academy.

More information
•    How to run an open space event
•    De Bono, E. (2000). Six Thinking Hats. London: Penguin
•    De Bono, E. (1970). Lateral Thinking: A textbook of creativity. London: Ward Lock Educational.