Alternative Idea Generation: The 6-3-5 Technique

In the Northeastern University Design Thinking workshop that I attended, I heard of a technique used to generate a number of alternative ideas from the team during the ideate stage. It is called 6-3-5 technique and I was quite impressed with that technique myself. I have heard of brainstorming, brainwriting, nominal group techniques, and Delphi techniques. This 6-3-5 technique is an extension of brainwriting technique extending further the collaborative power of the team. 

How does it work? 

Preparation

1. Assemble a group of 6 people sitting in a circle
2. Have a paper with a 3 rows and 6 people grid pre-printed. 
3. Each person has a paper now. 
4. Agree on one common problem to solve in table
5. Ensure that all people write the common problem exactly as agreed upon
6. A moderator (optional) may be required to ensure that people adhere to timeboxing and avoid discussions

Execution

1. A clock is started for 5 minutes
2. Each person writes the name on the column 1 (this row serves as a header)
3. Each writes three unique ideas on rows 1, 2, and 3 (unique to mean there should not be any dependency on the three ideas). It is important that no discussions take place and that this entire round is carried out in silence (no influence or monopoly from anyone)
4. At the end of 5-minutes, they rotate their paper to the next person on the right. 
5. The clock is restarted for another 5 minutes
6. They now write their name on the next adjacent column
7. Each person now has a new set of 3 ideas that others are potentially thinking. They can now write another set of 3 ideas or expand on one one or more of the other's ideas. 
8. These rounds are repeated 6 times until all the 6 sheets are complete.
9. Effectively, this brainwriting technique gives 6x6x3 = 108 ideas in 30 min. 

Evaluation

Then, the unique and extended ideas can be evaluated for desirability, feasibility, and viability. What I found unique about this method is simplicity. It also avoids unnecessary prework while bringing enough awareness to the forefront in coming up with sustainable, stable, safe, and secure ideas while still avoiding who controls idea generation.

Here is a template to demonstrate this graphically.

Recommendations

A few ideas that I would like to extend here are that people can feel the fear of having their name identified and not come up with big, innovative, and audacious goals. So, I recommend the following changes:

1. People use a pseudonym instead of their name
2. Everyone has the same set of writing instruments (same color markers)
3. Instead of passing it to the right, people can also think of different ordering as seem fit
4. Use arrows or something to indicate if one is extending on someone's ideas so that we can see what ideas are related
5. Establish a working agreement that no idea will be crossed out or put down in any manner

  Have you heard of this technique before? What suggestions do you have for recommendations?