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

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. +
….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
Prioritisation….

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

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. +
….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
Prioritisation….

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: 40 minutes

18. +
Golden Rules of Brainstorming

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: 40 minutes