Brainstorming facilitator

In many respects, the best set of resources for generating waste reduction ideas consists of a business own people. However, a business will sometimes need to bring other expertise to the table to supplement its own resources. Some examples of other resources include a brainstorming facilitator, technical specialists, outsiders or wildcards, and sources of pollution prevention ideas found in the literature. 

If a person cannot be found in the business who can facilitate a brainstorming session, then a consultant, possibly someone at the local university or college, will be needed. 

It is a group activity, optimally between five to ten people. At least two-thirds of the people invited to the brainstorming session should have ideally a variety of experience obtained in different fields. Preferably an experienced, neutral facilitator should run the session, whose job is to record the ideas on a flip chart, electronic white board or other appropriate technology and to stimulate and orchestrate the flow of ideas from the participants. For somebody inexperienced in facilitating a brainstorming session there are some guidelines to be followed. 

The Natural Step has placed these principles into a framework for sustainable development, which is used in conjunction with backcasting techniques. Actions are launched, step by step, in a strategic way to serve as viable stepping stones towards compliance with the sustainability principles. The framework is systematized as an approach to facilitate the brainstorming sessions and team-planning that is presented in the A,B,C,D methodology. 

Another type of What-If assessment utilizes a set of guide words to facilitate the brainstorming of relevant questions. An example set of such guide words is shown below ... 

Identify initiating events based on a facilitated brainstorming process supported by a check list. 

The method calls for forming a team composed of experienced and knowledgeable members with different backgrounds. These team members brainstorm about possible potential hazards. The team is led by a highly experienced person and during the brainstorming sessions, the same person acts as facilitator. 

With groups, however, sometimes the line is a little blurred between what s a Trait and what s a Quirk. To me, this blurring is not a problem. The techniques are here to facilitate brainstorming. They re in the service of the final product. 

Brainstorming/Discussion Facilitated opportunity for employees to comment. 

HAZID is a brainstorming technique using personnel with a variety of backgrounds and experience to identify and provide initial scoping of hazards present within an operation or process, and facilitated by an independent chair, based upon a hazard checklist (e.g., derived from ISO 17776 20C (E) for offshore platforms). 

Appreciate diversity as a tri er in brainstorming, as a facilitator in filling gaps, and as a mirror... 

Prepare a report describing the Delphi technique for developing ideas for solving problems. Describe the background of the development of this technique. How does it differ from brainstorming Indicate how it can be used to facilitate the solution of engineering problems. 

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