Workflow Overview#

Goal: Generate creative ideas and solutions using structured brainstorming techniques

Phase: Cross-phase (supports all BMAD phases)

Agent: Creative Intelligence

Inputs: Brainstorming objective, context, constraints

Output: Structured brainstorming document with ideas, insights, and recommendations

Duration: 15-45 minutes

Pre-Flight#

1. Load context per helpers.md#Combined-Config-Load
2. Explain purpose:

   "I'll facilitate a structured brainstorming session using proven creative techniques. This generates comprehensive ideas and actionable insights."

Brainstorming Process#

Use TodoWrite to track: Define Objective → Select Techniques → Execute Brainstorming → Organize Ideas → Extract Insights → Generate Output → Update Status

Part 1: Define Objective#

Ask user:

Q1: Brainstorming Topic

"What are we brainstorming?"

Examples:

• Feature ideas for a product
• Solutions to a specific problem
• Architecture alternatives
• Process improvements
• Marketing strategies
• Risk mitigation approaches

Store as: {{objective}}

Q2: Context

"What's the context?"

Provide:

• Current project phase
• Existing constraints (budget, timeline, technology)
• What's been tried before
• Success criteria

Store as: {{context}}

Q3: Desired Outcome

"What's the desired outcome?"

Examples:

• List of 20+ feature ideas
• 3-5 viable solutions
• Risk identification
• Creative alternatives to current approach

Store as: {{desired_outcome}}

Part 2: Select Techniques#

Based on objective, select 2-3 complementary techniques:

For problem exploration:

• 5 Whys - Dig into root causes
• Starbursting - Ask who/what/where/when/why/how
• Six Thinking Hats - Multiple perspectives

For solution generation:

• SCAMPER - Creative variations
• Mind Mapping - Visual organization
• Brainwriting - Silent idea generation

For risk analysis:

• Reverse Brainstorming - What would make this fail?
• Six Thinking Hats (Black Hat) - Critical thinking
• SWOT - Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats

For strategic planning:

• SWOT Analysis - Comprehensive assessment
• Mind Mapping - Strategy visualization
• Starbursting - Question all assumptions

Inform user:

"I'll use these techniques:

1. {{technique_1}} - {{reason}}
2. {{technique_2}} - {{reason}}
3. {{technique_3}} - {{reason}}"

Part 3: Execute Technique 1#

Apply first technique systematically.

5 Whys

Ask "Why?" 5 times to find root cause:

Problem: {{objective}}
Why 1: {{answer}}
Why 2: {{answer}}
Why 3: {{answer}}
Why 4: {{answer}}
Why 5: {{answer}}
Root Cause: {{root_cause}}

SCAMPER

Apply each transformation:

Substitute: What can we replace?
Combine: What can we merge?
Adapt: What can we adjust?
Modify: What can we change?
Put to other uses: What else can this do?
Eliminate: What can we remove?
Reverse: What if we did the opposite?

Mind Mapping

Create hierarchical idea structure:

Central Topic: {{objective}}
Branch 1: {{category}}
  - Sub-idea 1
  - Sub-idea 2
Branch 2: {{category}}
  - Sub-idea 1
  - Sub-idea 2

Reverse Brainstorming

Ask: "How could we make this fail?"

Ways to guarantee failure:
1. {{anti-solution_1}}
2. {{anti-solution_2}}

Insights (inverse):
1. {{actual_solution_1}}
2. {{actual_solution_2}}

Six Thinking Hats

Examine from 6 perspectives:

White Hat (Facts): {{facts}}
Red Hat (Emotions): {{feelings}}
Black Hat (Caution): {{risks}}
Yellow Hat (Benefits): {{positives}}
Green Hat (Creativity): {{creative_ideas}}
Blue Hat (Process): {{next_steps}}

Starbursting

Ask 6 question types:

Who: {{who_questions}}
What: {{what_questions}}
Where: {{where_questions}}
When: {{when_questions}}
Why: {{why_questions}}
How: {{how_questions}}

Brainwriting

Silent idea generation:

Round 1 (5 min): Generate {{count}} ideas
Round 2 (5 min): Build on Round 1, add {{count}} more
Round 3 (5 min): Combine and refine

SWOT Analysis

Strengths: {{internal_positives}}
Weaknesses: {{internal_negatives}}
Opportunities: {{external_positives}}
Threats: {{external_negatives}}

Document all ideas generated.

Part 4: Execute Technique 2#

Apply second technique.

Use same systematic approach as Part 3. Cross-reference ideas from first technique.

Part 5: Execute Technique 3#

Apply third technique.

Use same systematic approach. Look for patterns across all three techniques.

Part 6: Organize Ideas#

Consolidate ideas from all techniques.

Group by category:

## Category 1: {{category_name}}
- Idea 1: {{description}}
- Idea 2: {{description}}
- Idea 3: {{description}}

## Category 2: {{category_name}}
- Idea 1: {{description}}
- Idea 2: {{description}}

[Additional categories...]

Remove duplicates - Merge similar ideas

Count total ideas - Report to user

Part 7: Extract Insights#

Analyze all ideas to identify top insights.

Criteria for insights:

• High impact potential
• Feasible given constraints
• Novel or unexpected
• Addresses core objective
• Supported by multiple techniques

Format:

## Key Insights

### Insight 1: {{title}}
**Description:** {{explanation}}
**Source:** {{which_techniques_surfaced_this}}
**Impact:** High | Medium | Low
**Effort:** High | Medium | Low
**Why it matters:** {{rationale}}

### Insight 2: {{title}}
[Same structure]

### Insight 3: {{title}}
[Same structure]

Typical count: 3-7 key insights

Part 8: Generate Output Document#

Create brainstorming document per helpers.md#Apply-Variables-to-Template

Use template: brainstorming-session.md (or generate inline if template doesn't exist)

Document structure:

# Brainstorming Session: {{objective}}

**Date:** {{date}}
**Objective:** {{objective}}
**Context:** {{context}}

## Techniques Used
1. {{technique_1}}
2. {{technique_2}}
3. {{technique_3}}

## Ideas Generated

### Category 1: {{category}}
{{ideas}}

### Category 2: {{category}}
{{ideas}}

[All categories...]

## Key Insights

{{insights_from_part_7}}

## Statistics
- Total ideas: {{count}}
- Categories: {{count}}
- Key insights: {{count}}
- Techniques applied: 3

## Recommended Next Steps

{{next_steps}}

---

*Generated by BMAD Method v6 - Creative Intelligence*
*Session duration: {{duration}} minutes*

Save to: {{output_folder}}/brainstorming-{{topic}}-{{date}}.md

Inform user:

✓ Brainstorming Complete!

Ideas Generated: {{count}}
Categories: {{count}}
Key Insights: {{count}}

Document: {{file_path}}

Top 3 Insights:
1. {{insight_1_title}}
2. {{insight_2_title}}
3. {{insight_3_title}}

Update Status#

Per helpers.md#Update-Workflow-Status

Update bmm-workflow-status.yaml:

last_workflow: brainstorm
last_workflow_date: {{current_date}}
brainstorming:
  sessions_completed: {{increment_count}}
  last_session_topic: {{objective}}
  ideas_generated: {{total_count}}

Recommend Next Steps#

Based on objective, recommend logical next workflow:

If brainstorming was for:

Feature ideas → Product Manager

Next: Review and prioritize ideas
Run: /prd or /tech-spec
Use brainstorming insights to inform requirements

Problem solutions → System Architect

Next: Evaluate solutions against architecture
Run: /architecture
Test top solutions for NFR compliance

Risk identification → Scrum Master

Next: Incorporate risks into sprint planning
Run: /sprint-planning
Add mitigation stories for identified risks

Research questions → Creative Intelligence

Next: Conduct research on top insights
Run: /research
Validate assumptions with data

Process improvements → Business Analyst or Scrum Master

Next: Document improved process
Create process documentation
Test with team

Helper References#

• Load config: helpers.md#Combined-Config-Load
• Apply template: helpers.md#Apply-Variables-to-Template
• Save document: helpers.md#Save-Output-Document
• Update status: helpers.md#Update-Workflow-Status
• Determine next: helpers.md#Determine-Next-Workflow

Notes for LLMs#

• Use TodoWrite to track 8 brainstorming steps
• Apply all selected techniques thoroughly - no shortcuts
• Document EVERY idea, even seemingly weak ones
• Look for patterns across techniques
• Quantify results (idea counts, categories, etc.)
• Extract actionable insights, not just raw ideas
• Recommend specific next workflow based on objective
• Use structured frameworks - avoid free-form thinking
• Cross-reference ideas from different techniques
• Focus on quality insights over quantity of ideas
• Keep session focused on stated objective
• Use helpers.md references for all common operations

Remember: Structured brainstorming using multiple techniques generates more comprehensive and creative results than single-method approaches. Document everything, extract insights, and provide clear next steps.