Brainstorming is a creative process that is used as an early step in generating possible solutions to a problem. Judgment is withheld to create a long list of ideas, including ones more creative or daring than those initially considered. You probably already had your own definition of brainstorming that is somewhat similar to mines. However, I bet you didn’t know that there are several distinct types of brainstorming.

No, really. And in this piece, we will briefly discuss each one.

Reverse Brainstorming

A creative problem-solving technique in which the problem is turned around and considered from a different point of view to spur new and different solutions.

Stop-and-Go Brainstorming

A problem-solving technique in which a group alternately engages in brainstorming solutions without evaluation for ten minutes then engages in a short period of evaluation. The group continues alternating between brainstorming and evaluation.

Phillips 66 Brainstorming

A problem-solving technique in which a group of six people brainstorms for six minutes and then a spokesman for each group presents either the best ideas or all ideas to the larger group.

Brainwriting

A problem-solving technique in which participants individually brainstorm ideas and document them, then share them with a group to further push their thinking.

What did we miss? Can you think of any additional types of brainstorming?