The Brainstorming Process

Stage 1: Green Light
A. Atmosphere is open, free, and non-critical.
Judgment is deferred.
(Record all ideas in full view of participants.)
B. Introduce problem.
C. Encourage free association.
Generate as many ideas as possible.
(As Linus Pauling said, "The best way to get a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.")
Encourage wild ideas.
(It is easier to tame a wild idea than it is to invigorate a tame one.)
Quantity of ideas is important.
Build on and modify the ideas of others.
Stage 2: Yellow Light
D. Combine ideas.
E. Edit and clarify ideas.
Stage 3: Red Light
F. Prioritize ideas.
G. Recommend solution.