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.