With the 6-3-5 method, many new ideas can be generated in a short time. We explain how the technology works.
Probably everyone knows the technology or at least the word brainstorming. Behind the creativity technique there are various approaches to brainstorming. The 6-3-5 method is one of the brainwriting techniques; H. here the ideas are recorded non-verbally and in writing. It was developed by management consultant Bernd Rohrbach back in the 1960s. We explain here what it is good for and how exactly it works.
6-3-5 method
The method is ideal for smaller groups of 6 people each or larger groups divided into teams of 6. The basic idea of the 6-3-5 method is:
- 6th Participants develop each 3 Ideas in further 5 Passages to a specific question.
A moderator can guide the technology, but it would also work without it. The preparation for the 6-3-5 method is straightforward: each participant receives a sheet of paper on which a table with three columns and six lines is recorded. The other players can do this themselves or the moderator prepares it in advance.
You can download a template in PDF format here.
So is the process:
As soon as the question or topic has been introduced, it starts:
- The moderator specifies fixed times for the rounds (three to five minutes), depending on the topic, these can be shorter or more generous.
- In the first round, each participant writes an idea in row one in each of the three columns.
- At the start of the second round, the hands are passed clockwise to the next.
- In the second round, the ideas of the predecessor from line one are taken up and expanded or further developed. New ideas are also fine.
- This process continues until the sheets have gone through the entire round of participants, i.e. a total of 6 rounds, 5 of which are passed on.
- The ideas can then be discussed and evaluated. One possible approach: Everyone picks three promising topics that are discussed together.
Guide to implementation
- Out-of-the-box thinking encouraged
- Formulate ideas as precisely as possible
- Write properly
- Other ideas are not (negatively) commented on
- There is no speaking during the entire process
What is the method suitable for?
This technique promotes many ideas in little time and with little effort: If you estimate five minutes per round, with six participants with three ideas each and 6 rounds, 108 ideas can come together in 30 minutes. Advantage: Ideas cannot be considered badly by others from the outset. Through the written work, the idea is in the foreground and not the person presenting it. One weakness can probably not be completely eradicated: questions about understanding the ideas cannot be answered immediately.
If participants don't always write down three ideas or if they don't manage to do it in the allotted time, that's no problem at all. Creativity cannot be forced, the 6-3-5 method is not a magic cure either and should rather serve as an aid to brainstorming. The technique can also be used to deepen existing ideas.
The method is also ideal for large teams; the subdivision into smaller teams makes the brainstorming process much clearer.
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