1. IW:LEARN TDA/SAP Training Course
Module 3: Developing the SAP

2. Section 5: Brainstorming Innovative Ideas, Opportunities and Solutions

3. Where are we? Defining the Vision Setting goals or status statements
Brainstorming innovative ideas
Identifying options or alternatives

4. In this Section you will learn about….
What do we mean by Innovation?
What is brainstorming?
Process for brainstorming innovative ideas, opportunities and solutions
Advice from the field

5. What do we mean by innovation?
Any kind of change introduced to a system, regardless of whether it’s a new thing
Could include new policies, projects, programmes, technologies, attitudes etc.
Based on a combination of criteria, such as expected reduction in the impact of the transboundary problems, chances of success, and capacity to sustain the change over the longer term

6. What do we mean by innovation?
The purpose of this step in the strategic thinking phase is to brainstorm potential innovative ideas and opportunities that will target the leverage points, help achieve the goals, and reduce the impact of each transboundary problem.

7. What is brainstorming?
Thee rapid generation and listing of solution ideas without clarification and without evaluation of their merits
 Works best with a varied group of people from a range of disciplines and have different backgrounds 
Requires a facilitator, a relaxed environment and something on which to write ideas, such as a white-board or a flip chart.

8. Brainstorming Guidelines
Avoid linking names to ideas
Encourage all ideas - anything is possible
Defer judgment
Encourage each other
Go for quantity - accept everything!
Build on each others ideas

9. Process for brainstorming innovative ideas, opportunities and solutions….
….that target the leverage points and meet the vision and goals
They could be:
innovative “new” ideas
Defined as solutions or interventions
“Old” ideas – but with a new focus
The point is to be as creative as possible during this step
Critical analysis of the proposed ideas or opportunities comes later.

10. Often limited available resources
Prioritisation….
….is key to brainstorming and an integral part of any strategic planning process
Often limited available resources
Helps to identify which innovative ideas or opportunities should be considered further

11. Process for Brainstorming Ideas
Step 2: Identifying Options or Alternatives: Selection of ideas, opportunities or solutions that best meet the needs and realities of the region
Step 1: Identification of innovative ideas and opportunities that target the leverage points and meet the identified vision and goals

12. Step 1: Identification of innovative ideas and opportunities
This step can also be successfully be accomplished through a collaborative workshop involving the SAP Development team and supplemented with additional specialists
The workshop can be run during the same meeting that the Vision and goals are identified or during a separate meeting

13. Step 2: Identifying Options or Alternatives
The purpose of this step is to identify the ideas, opportunities or solutions that best meet the needs and realities of the region
The outcome will be an table of prioritised alternative ideas, opportunities or solutions that will provide the basis for more detailed in- country consultations and discussions on options or alternatives

14. Often limited available resources
Prioritisation….
….is key to brainstorming and an integral part of any strategic planning process
Often limited available resources
Helps to identify which innovative ideas or opportunities should be considered further

15. Step 2: Identifying Options or Alternatives
The purpose of this step is to identify the ideas, opportunities or solutions that best meet the needs and realities of the region
The outcome will be an table of prioritised alternative ideas, opportunities or solutions that will provide the basis for more detailed in- country consultations and discussions on options or alternatives
This will be discussed in more detail in the next section

16. Advice from the Field
Planning is everything. Make sure you and key SAP development team members are familiar with the process before you deliver it.
You will need to set some ground rules before beginning any effective brainstorming session. However, you must be careful not to set the rules so tight that you stifle creativity.
Brainstorming is more than putting people into a room and talking about ideas. You will need to ensure that the discussion focuses in the right direction while supporting a free flow of ideas.
It is not the tool you will use to determine the best solution. Your goal for a brainstorming session is to get as many ideas as possible out in the open. Discussion and analysing these ideas will come later.

17. Group Exercise In groups of 5: Brainstorm innovative ideas based on:
The leverage points
The vision
The goals
Remember the ‘golden rules of brainstorming’
Timing: 25 minutes

18. Brainstorming Guidelines
Avoid linking names to ideas
Encourage all ideas - anything is possible
Defer judgment
Encourage each other
Go for quantity - accept everything!
Build on each others ideas

19. Group Exercise In groups of 5: Brainstorm innovative ideas based on:
The leverage points
The vision
The goals
Remember the ‘golden rules of brainstorming’
Timing: 25 minutes