Brainwriting: The guide to generating ideas in silence

You call a brainstorming meeting to solve a crucial problem. The room is full of talent, but in the end, only the same two people speak. The ideas go in circles, a dominant participant sets the direction, and the more introverted ones, perhaps with the most brilliant solution, remain silent. You leave the meeting with a whiteboard full of unclear scribbles and the feeling of having wasted your time. Does this sound familiar?

This scenario is the frustrating reality for countless teams and organizations. Traditional brainstorming, despite its popularity, often turns into an imperfect storm that drowns creativity instead of nurturing it.

But what if I told you there is a strategic, silent, and radically more effective alternative?

Welcome to the world of brainwriting. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about this powerful technique. You will discover why it is not just a variant of brainstorming, but an evolution that can completely transform the way your team generates ideas, solves problems, and fosters a culture of true collaboration.

What is Brainwriting?

In essence, brainwriting is a group idea-generation technique that prioritizes individual and silent writing over verbal debate. Instead of shouting out ideas, participants write them down, read them, and draw inspiration from the contributions of others to build new ideas, all in a structured and interruption-free environment.

Brainwriting could be defined as a collaborative and parallel method of idea generation.

• Collaborative: Because one person’s ideas serve as a springboard for others’.
• Parallel: Because all participants generate ideas at the same time, eliminating the bottleneck of having to wait for one person to finish speaking.

This simple reversal of the process—writing first, talking later—is the key to its success. It deactivates the social and cognitive barriers that sabotage group creativity and creates a safe space for even the most fledgling ideas to flourish.

The fundamental principle: Individual generation, group inspiration

The heart of brainwriting beats with a dual principle:

• Divergent Generation Phase (Individual and Silent): Each person has the space and concentration to think for themselves without being influenced or interrupted. This maximizes the quantity and originality of the initial ideas. In this regard, Heslin (2009) reported that brainwriting produces superior idea generation compared to non-idea-sharing groups or nominal groups (people who generate ideas alone).
• Convergent Inspiration Phase (Group and Structured): By reading others’ ideas, participants get inspired, combine concepts, and build upon the collective work. The discussion is reserved for the end, when there is a solid foundation of well-formed ideas.

Origin and evolution: Why was it born as an alternative to Brainstorming?

Brainwriting was developed in Germany in the 1960s by Bernd Rohrbach, a marketing expert. Rohrbach observed the inefficiencies of classic brainstorming and sought a method that could generate a large number of high-quality ideas in a short amount of time, neutralizing group biases. His most famous creation, the 6-3-5 method, proved so effective that it gave rise to a whole family of techniques designed to capitalize on the power of written thought.

Brainwriting vs. Brainstorming: The battle for the best idea

To understand the power of brainwriting, the best way is to compare it directly with its predecessor. While brainstorming is chaotic and verbal, brainwriting is orderly and written.

Comparative Table: Brainstorming vs. Brainwriting.

Author’s own creation based on the following sources: Heslin (2009); Litcanu et al. (2015); Balaščáková (2024).

It is important to note that both methods can be used in a complementary way. Brainstorming and brainwriting are two methods that can help teams generate new ideas (Balaščáková, 2024); in this regard, Khodashenas and Noormohammadi (2023) conclude that Brainwriting surpasses Brainstorming in the quantity and diversity of ideas, while Brainstorming surpasses Brainwriting in creating an atmosphere conducive to idea generation and creativity; they also found that the quality of ideas generated by both methods is comparable.

For its part, the study by Costa et al. (2024) demonstrated that the combination of Brainwriting 6-3-5 and Synectic Analogy (through brainstorming) is an effective strategy for stimulating creativity and generating innovative solutions in an educational context, facilitating both the initial divergence of ideas and the convergence toward concrete proposals.

Why is Brainwriting usually more effective? An analysis of psychological barriers

Brainwriting isn’t better by chance; it is designed to tear down three major psychological walls that brainstorming builds.

• Eliminating the “Fear of Evaluation”: In a brainstorming session, every time someone pitches an idea, they are exposed to the immediate judgment (verbal or non-verbal) of the rest of the group. This causes many to self-censor. In brainwriting, by writing in silence, this fear disappears. Ideas are evaluated on their merit, not on who said them.
• Combating “Production Blocking”: In a conversation, only one person can speak at a time. While you wait for your turn, you might forget your idea or be influenced by what someone else says. Brainwriting eliminates this block: everyone “speaks” (writes) at the same time, multiplying productivity.
• Neutralizing “Personality Dominance” and the “Anchoring Effect”: The first idea mentioned in a brainstorming session (often by the highest-ranking or most extroverted person) can “anchor” the conversation, limiting the exploration of other avenues. Litcanu et al. (2015) point out that brainwriting avoids the imposition by dominant members that tends to occur in brainstorming; in this sense, brainwriting, being simultaneous and written, presents a range of diverse initial ideas, preventing a single one from dominating the process.

However, Poleshchuk and Wagner (2025) warn that the main disadvantage of brainwriting is that the strong focus on shared ideas can lead participants to develop fewer completely new ideas and focus primarily on refining existing ones.

The unsurpassed advantages of Brainwriting for your team

Adopting brainwriting isn’t just a change of method; it’s a strategic improvement with tangible benefits.

Inclusion and equitable participation: The voice of introverts

This is perhaps the most important advantage. Brainwriting creates a system where the quality of the idea matters more than the volume of the voice. Shy, introverted, or new team members, who would normally hesitate to speak, have the same power and platform to contribute.

Greater quantity and diversity of ideas: Breaking groupthink

Various studies have shown that brainwriting groups generate significantly more ideas than brainstorming groups in the same amount of time. Khodashenas and Noormohammadi (2023) compared Brainstorming and Brainwriting techniques to improve creative production among Iranian industrial design students, and concluded that the Brainwriting technique yielded a greater quantity and variety of ideas.

In this sense, by eliminating barriers, a torrent of creativity is unleashed, leading to a broader and more original range of solutions.

More developed and higher-quality ideas

The act of writing forces us to structure our thoughts. Instead of throwing out a half-formed idea, participants have a few minutes to refine it, add details, and present it more clearly. This raises the overall quality of contributions from the very beginning.

Zero interruptions: Absolute focus and concentration

Imagine a creative meeting without a single interruption. That’s brainwriting. Each participant can dive into their own thought process, follow a line of reasoning to its conclusion, and then draw inspiration from the work of others in an orderly fashion.

A tangible and automatic record of the entire process

At the end of a brainwriting session, you don’t have a confusing whiteboard; you have a set of documents (physical or digital) with all the ideas generated, written in the authors’ own handwriting (or typing). This record is clear, complete, and ready to be analyzed.

Efficiency in time and resources (Even without a facilitator)

Thanks to its structure, many brainwriting techniques, such as the Brainwriting Pool, can function with minimal supervision. A team can start a session on its own, making it an agile and efficient tool for group idea generation without the need for a dedicated facilitator.

Perfect for remote, hybrid, and asynchronous teams

Online brainwriting is a revelation for distributed teams. Using collaborative whiteboards, team members can contribute from anywhere in the world, even across different time zones (asynchronously), completely eliminating geographical and temporal barriers.

Types and techniques of Brainwriting: Find the perfect method for every occasion

Brainwriting is not a single technique, but a family of methods. These are the most popular and effective ones.

The traditional: 6-3-5 Method (Ideal for structured efficiency)

This is the original and best-known method. Its name says it all: 6 participants, 3 ideas per round, for 5 minutes. Sulaiman et al. (2024) reported that the 6-3-5 brainwriting technique effectively guided students through the process of constructing recount narratives.

• Procedure:
  • 6 participants sit around a table. Each receives a sheet of paper.
  • In the first round, each participant writes 3 ideas on their sheet for 5 minutes.
  • After 5 minutes, each person passes their sheet to the person on their right.
  • In the second round, each participant reads the 3 ideas they have received and adds another 3 new ideas, drawing inspiration from the previous ones.
  • The process is repeated 6 times until each participant has written on every sheet.
• Result: In just 30 minutes, the group can generate up to 108 ideas (6x3x6).
• When to use it: When you need a large number of ideas on a very specific problem in a very short amount of time.

The Collaborative: Brainwriting Pool (Ideal for continuous inspiration)

This technique is more fluid and less structured.

• Procedure:
  • The facilitator writes the challenge at the top of a whiteboard or flip chart.
  • Blank cards or post-it notes are placed in the center of the table (the “pool”).
  • Whenever a participant has an idea, they write it on a card and place it in the center, face up.
  • Then, they take a card written by another participant, read it for inspiration, and write a new idea.
• When to use it: For teams that want a more organic and continuous dynamic, or for sessions that might last longer (even days, in an “open board” format).

The Flexible: Idea Cards Method

Similar to the Pool, but with a more direct exchange.

• Procedure:
  • Each participant receives a stack of cards or post-it notes.
  • Everyone writes several initial ideas, one per card.
  • Once they have written 3-4 ideas, they pass them to the person on their right (or exchange them).
  • Participants read the cards they have received and use them as a stimulus to generate new ideas on new cards.
• When to use it: It’s a great alternative to the 6-3-5 if you have a different number of participants than six or if you want a faster exchange dynamic.

The Digital: Online and Electronic Brainwriting

The natural adaptation to the digital age. The study by Langham and Paulsen (2020) showed that digital brainwriting, implemented through a structured simulation in an online environment, significantly improved the quality and quantity of new ideas. Thus, the “digital world” offers a new alternative.

• How it works: A collaborative online whiteboard (like Miro, Mural, Boardmix) is used. The facilitator creates a board with the challenge and designated areas for each participant. Team members add their ideas on digital post-it notes simultaneously.
• Advantages: It allows for anonymity (if desired), facilitates the grouping of ideas by “dragging and dropping,” and is perfect for remote teams.

Other Variations to Consider

• Round Robin Brainwriting: Similar to 6-3-5, but instead of passing the sheet, each person verbally shares one of their written ideas in a structured round. It’s a hybrid that reintroduces voice at the end.
• Slip Writing: Participants write ideas on slips of paper and hand them to a facilitator, who reads them aloud for discussion. Useful for ensuring total anonymity.

How to organize and facilitate a Brainwriting session (A practical step-by-step guide)

Good facilitation is key to maximizing results. Follow these steps.

Phase 1: Preparation (Define the challenge and materials)

• Define a clear and actionable challenge: The question must be specific. Instead of “How can we improve marketing?”, try “What low-cost strategies can we implement next quarter to increase leads by 20%?”.
• Prepare the materials: Make sure you have enough paper, pens, post-it notes, or have prepared the digital board in advance.

Phase 2: The launch (Clearly explain the rules of the game)

• Establish the Context: Briefly explain the challenge.
• Explain the Rules of Brainwriting: Be very clear about the process, especially the “no talking” rule during the generation phase. Assure everyone that it is a safe space.
• Manage Time: Use a visible timer to mark the rounds.

Phase 3: Silent generation (The heart of the process)

This is the sacred moment. As a facilitator, your job is to protect the silence. Encourage people to keep writing and not to worry about “quality” at this stage. The goal is quantity and diversity.

Phase 4: Harvesting and convergence (Discuss, group, and prioritize)

Once the generation phase is over, the convergence phase begins.

• Display: Post all the ideas on a wall or board.
• Clarification: The facilitator (or the authors) read the ideas aloud. This is the time to ask questions if something is not understood.
• Thematic Grouping (Clustering): Collaboratively, group similar or related ideas. Give each group a title.
• Voting and Prioritization: Give each participant a limited number of votes (e.g., 3-5 points or stickers) to assign to the ideas or groups of ideas they consider most promising.

Tips from an expert facilitator to avoid common mistakes

• Encourage “Illegality”: Encourage participants to write down ideas that seem “silly” or “impossible.” They are often the seeds of true innovation.
• Use Ambient Music: Soft instrumental music can help maintain concentration and avoid uncomfortable silence.
• Participate Yourself: If you are the facilitator, participating in the writing (without dominating) shows commitment to the process.

Applications of Brainwriting: Where can you use it?

The versatility of brainwriting makes it applicable in almost any context that requires creative thinking and problem-solving.

• In Business and Marketing: To generate product names, ideas for advertising campaigns, content strategies, or new business models. Balaščáková (2024) highlights the potential of “brainwriting” for digital marketing.
• In Design and UX: Fundamental for ideating new features, improving user flows, or finding solutions to usability problems. Brainwriting for design is an essential tool.
• Health Services: Steenbruggen et al. (2024) report the use of brainwriting to identify seven possible methods for improving the quality of hospital physiotherapy.
• In Agile Methodologies: Ideal for sprint retrospectives (“How can we improve our process?”) or for generating user stories in planning.
• In Education: For students to participate in debates equitably, generate ideas for projects, or solve problems in groups.
• Urban Development: Wallbaum et al. (2024) used brainwriting as the first step in a workshop methodology to catalyze the generation of ideas about the sustainable future of the built environment based on participants’ experiences and if the UN SDGs for 2030 were met.
• For Complex Problem-Solving: When a team is stuck, brainwriting can break the deadlock and reveal solutions that verbal debate had hidden.

Tools and resources to enhance your Brainwriting sessions

Although brainwriting can be done with just pen and paper, technology offers great advantages.

• Collaborative Digital Whiteboards: Miro, Mural, and Boardmix are the kings of online brainwriting. They offer templates, digital post-it notes, integrated timers, and voting functions that make facilitating a remote session incredibly simple.
• Free and Specific Tools: IdeaBoardz is a simple and free web tool, perfect for quick brainwriting sessions. Stormboard is another robust option with good templates.

Integration of Brainwriting and Artificial Intelligence

The findings of the study by Shaer et al. (2024) suggest that integrating Artificial Intelligence (LLMs – large language models) into Brainwriting could improve both the ideation process and its outcome in the divergence stage, and that LLMs can support idea evaluation in the convergence stage, showing consistency and a moderate correlation with human judgment.

Conclusion

Brainstorming isn’t dead, but it is no longer the only option. In a world that values diversity of thought, inclusion, and efficiency, brainwriting emerges as a superior tool in most scenarios.

It offers a democratic process that empowers every team member, generates an amazing volume and quality of ideas, and provides a clear and actionable outcome. By shifting from “who says it” to “what is written,” you transform the power dynamics and unleash the collective creative potential of your organization.

So, the next time you need to solve a problem, don’t call a “brainstorm.” Organize a brainwriting session. Give your team the silence they need to think, and you’ll be surprised by the noise their ideas make.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Brainwriting

Does brainwriting completely replace brainstorming?

Not necessarily. Brainstorming can still be useful for very informal sessions or in extremely cohesive and high-trust teams. However, for complex problems, diverse teams, or when looking to maximize the number of ideas, brainwriting is a provenly more effective alternative.

What is the ideal number of participants for a session?

It depends on the technique. The 6-3-5 method is designed for 6 people. Other techniques like the Brainwriting Pool are more flexible and can work well with groups of 4 to 8 people. For larger groups, it is better to divide them into smaller teams.

What if someone doesn’t understand another’s idea?

That is the function of the “Clarification” phase after the silent generation. At that time, questions can be asked to ensure everyone understands the meaning of each idea before grouping or voting.

Can brainwriting be done anonymously?

Yes! In fact, it’s one of its great advantages, especially in online formats. Anonymity can further reduce the fear of evaluation and encourage bolder or more controversial ideas that people might not dare to propose with their name attached.

How long does a typical brainwriting session last?

A session of the 6-3-5 method lasts exactly 30 minutes (plus discussion time). Other techniques are more flexible. A full session, including preparation, generation, and convergence, usually lasts between 45 and 90 minutes, making it a very efficient activity.

References

Balašcáková, S. (2024). Selected creative methods for generating ideas in digital marketing. Studia Commercialia Bratislavensia, 17(59).

Costa, N. F., Dias, L. R., Mendes, J. L. P., Santos, B. T., & de Vargas Scherer, F. (2024). Combinação de Técnicas para Soluções Criativas: Brainwriting 635 e Analogia Sinética. PPG Design Caderno Científico.

Heslin, P. A. (2009). Better than brainstorming? Potential contextual boundary conditions to brainwriting for idea generation in organizations. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 82(1), 129-145. https://doi.org/10.1348/096317908X285642

Khodashenas, M., & Noormohammadi, T. (2023). Comparative Analysis of Written and Verbal Ideation Techniques in Enhancing Creative Output among Iranian Students of Industrial Design. Journal of Design Thinking, 4(1), 161-174.

Langham, A., & Paulsen, N. (2020). Simulating the Cognitive Leap Using Brainwriting. Design Management Journal, 15(1), 85-101. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmj.12062

Litcanu, M., Prostean, O., Oros, C., & Mnerie, A. V. (2015). Brain-Writing Vs. Brainstorming Case Study For Power Engineering Education. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 191, 387-390. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.04.452

Poleshchuk, A., & Wagner, X. (2025). Brainstorming – vor Ort, online, hybrid: Eine Handreichung zur einfachen Umsetzung von Brainstorming-Methoden in analogen und digitalen Lehr-/Lernsettings. Hochschule Harz.

Shaer, O., Cooper, A., Mokryn, O., Kun, A. L., & Ben Shoshan, H. (2024, May). AI-Augmented Brainwriting: Investigating the use of LLMs in group ideation. In Proceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-17).

Steenbruggen, R.A., Maas, M.J.M., Hoogeboom, T.J. et al. A framework to improve quality of hospital-based physiotherapy: a design-based research study. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 34 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09062-x

Sulaiman, S., Yuliani, S. ., & Qathrunnada, S. . (2024). The Effectiveness of 6-3-5 Brainwriting Strategy in Teaching Writing Skill. International Journal of Education Research and Development, 4(1), 37–46. https://doi.org/10.52760/ijerd.v3i2.42

Wallbaum, H., Fudge, C., & Hagy, S. (2024, June). Lessons learnt from a regional workshop to develop a transformational plan for the built and urban environment to meet the UNSDGs in 2030. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 1363, No. 1, p. 012011). IOP Publishing.

Milthon Lujan Monja

Editor and founder of “Innovar o Morir” (‘Innovate or Die’). Milthon holds a Master’s degree in Science and Innovation Management from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, with postgraduate diplomas in Business Innovation (UPV) and Market-Oriented Innovation Management (UPCH-Universitat Leipzig). He has practical experience in innovation management, having led the Fisheries Innovation Unit of the National Program for Innovation in Fisheries and Aquaculture (PNIPA) and worked as a consultant on open innovation diagnostics and technology watch. He firmly believes in the power of innovation and creativity as drivers of change and development.