I came across Paul William's Big Dig Idea Sandbox at the Innovation Tools website. The 'Big Dig' is an online brainstorming tool that generates random questions and suggestions to help you shift your thinking and get your ideating on. If the first click doesn't deliver something that sparks your mind, you can try again until you find something more useful or applicable. Though often you can find inspiration and insight in the strangest places and weirdest of sentences, so don't give up on the ideas and suggestions too easily! Here are some samples of the types of idea-generating thoughts and tips the Big Dig generated for me:

• Think about modifying it. New twist? Change meaning, color, motion, sound, odor, form, shape? Other changes?
• Make passes at asking... "how would _______ do it?" Replace the blank with the name of your hero.
• We recommend dropping an assumption.  What can you let go of? What unnecessary assumptions can you eliminate?

As you can see, it's a pretty simple and easy to use tool. I think it would be great to use in brainstorming sessions or even on a personal level when you find your creativity slipping away and need a little kick start. Here's a screen shot of the Big Dig with sample advice:

Give the Big Dig idea generating tool a try: http://bigdig.idea-sandbox.com/

Here are two similar online idea generating tools I reviewed (though Big Dig seems to ask better/more questions): MouseBrains - a fun and interesting free online Brainstorming & Creative Thinking tool & Get Your Ideating On: Cool idea generating tool. I'm sure there are similar tools out there. If you have any to recommend I'd love to hear from you! email raven_young AT hotmail DOT com

Related reading:

• Brainstorming & Creative Thinking: Don't Settle On The First Idea
• Brainstorming & Creative Thinking: 10 Key Skills for Session Facilitators
• 7 Things To Avoid When Trying To Communicate Your Ideas
• Brainstorming & Creative Thinking Resource: 68 Ways to be More Creative on the Job
• Group Problem Solving - 7 Brainstorming Rules & Techniques
• Various Brainstorming, Creative Thinking, Problem Solving, Decision making techniques from mindtools.com
• Key Factors to successful brainstorming from JPB.com
• Great Brainstorming and Creative Thinking Resource = CreatingMinds.org

posted by Raven at Raven's Brain under Brainstorming & Creative Thinking
Tags: Brainstorming, Idea Generation, Ideation, Idea Generating Tool, Creative Thinking