Idea Generation
F-R-E-E Writing
Overview
F-R-E-E-Writing is a simple creativity technique that can be used to generate ideas in small groups. F-R-E-E stands for: Fast, Raw, Exact-but-Easy.
The 4 letters are an acronym for activities to undertake when using the technique. Let us explain.
F = FAST
Write as fast as you can while remaining legible. Keep your hand moving: do not stop until you have completed the time or page space you have allocated to the exercise. Neither should you pause to reread what you have just written, because that leads to stalling and attempting to control or refine your first thoughts.
R = RAW
Keep it raw – forget all that you learned about spelling and punctuation, because what you write is for you and you will know what you mean while reading back. Neither should you be concerned about style or expression. Instead, just write what comes to your mind using your own words and language.
E-E = EXACT-BUT-EASY
You should be raw, but specific. Write about concrete details of ideas, and avoid being generic and talking about types of things. Name each thing, which might require you to write more and be more specific. If you will find yourself in a situation where to choose between writing quality and detailed description, choose speed.
What to do
This technique can be applied in the following 4 steps:
- Ask all of the participants to sit at a table, and provide pen and paper to each participant;
- Have the participants sit quietly for 2 minutes without moving, and encourage people then think, reflect and collect their ideas about the current business or engineering problem. You might need to describe the problem to them, if all are not familiar with it;
- Ask all of participants to write everything that comes into their mind for 5–10 minutes, accepting positive and negative thoughts, without stopping. Direct them not to be judgemental – write it down, regardless of whether the content is positive or negative, a good idea or a bad idea;
- Run a short group reflection session on the content and ideas that were generated by each participant in turn, to encourage further idea generation, and to share their ideas that were generated.
People
The technique works best for a small group of participants – a minimum of 2 participants, and a maximum of 5 or 6 people.
Problem solving characteristics
This technique is most effective when you want to generate lots of new ideas for a business or engineering problem that has already been identified, scoped and agreed.
Creative phases
Use this technique to generate a larger number of ideas in an uncritical way when seeking to diverge away from a current idea.
Location
Try to find a quiet space with enough room for all participants to sit comfortably, and make sure can write comfortably, e.g. at tables, on boards etc.
Equipment
This paper requires enough pens and paper for all of the participants. The facilitator might also need a timer to ensure that time is monitored.