This is a list I wrote when I was consulted about what tools would be good to have when holding a brainstorming session with 25 participants
- Large Post-It (note) (e.g. 75mm x 75mm)
- To be written and pasted on a wall to be shared by several people
- Number of pieces to be distributed per person
- Do not suppress opinions because others have them. Remove hurdles to expressing opinions whenever possible.
- If you have a choice of colors, you should use a single color (yellow).
- If you can’t choose, you can mix colors, but if you have a mix of people who make sense of the color coding and those who don’t, it puts a strain on your thinking. Discussion is necessary beforehand.
- If color coding is to have meaning, each person must be able to use all the colors without having to wait for all the colors to be available.
- Large post-it pens
- Need a thicker pen, as ballpoint pens cannot be read away from the wall when it is stretched out.
- For example, here’s one like this: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001MT8802/
- You could use a makie, but it’s oil-based and you run the risk of it smearing on your desk.
- At least one black should go to each person. Red and blue are better if there is room.
- Small post-its (e.g. 38mm x 50mm)
- Assumed size for individual use at hand
- The 75x75 for the wall eats up too much space for use at hand.
- When lined up, 25 sheets can be put on A4 print paper.
- 2 per person (200 pieces)
- http://www.mmm.co.jp/office/post_it/list01/653rp.html
- Assumed size for individual use at hand
- Ballpoint pen for writing at hand
- For example, here’s one like this: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B001C09BS4/
- Each person should bring a pen that he or she is comfortable with, but there may be cases where ink runs out or people want to share pens, so it is a good idea to have enough pens for everyone.
- 1-3 100-sheet packs of A4 print paper
- As a rich white paper.
Other things that may be nice to have but not necessary
- Anywhere Whiteboard Sheet https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B004BEJ9MG
- whiteboard marker
- Don’t trust them even if they say they are provided at the venue, they may be out of ink.
- clay
- (corrugated) cardboard
- Lego bricks
- scissors
- packing tape
- masking tape
- vinyl strap
- splittable (wood) chopsticks
- bamboo skewer
- Tape measure (for measuring length)
- Cutter knife, cutter mat
- Colored pencils with many colors
- double-sided tape
- Aron Alpha
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