10 brainstorming examples to fuel your team’s creativity and problem-solving

When it comes to solving problems or sparking creativity, brainstorming is a powerhouse. But let’s be real—it can be tricky to know where to start. How do you move past the obvious ideas into true innovation? That’s where specific brainstorming techniques can make all the difference.

Below, we’ll explore creative brainstorming examples you can use right away, from tried-and-true methods to fresh approaches. By the end of this article, you’ll not only have a toolkit of techniques but also see how Miro’s innovation workspace makes collaboration seamless—whether you’re in a brainstorming meeting or working asynchronously. Let’s dive in!

Creative brainstorming examples for you to try

Brainstorming sessions are one of the most effective ways teams solve problems creatively. By bringing people together and encouraging diverse perspectives, teams can uncover innovative solutions that may not emerge in traditional discussions. The process fosters collaboration, sparks fresh thinking, and helps generate ideas that break through typical constraints.

If you’re looking for brainstorming techniques to spark your team’s creativity, these methods are a great place to start. Think of them as focused frameworks to guide your discussions, help you uncover unexpected ideas, and get everyone contributing.

Reverse brainstorming template

Ever feel stuck when trying to solve a problem? Flip it on its head with reverse brainstorming. Instead of asking, “How can we solve this?”, ask, “How could we cause this problem?” It might sound counterintuitive, but it’s a game-changer.

The reverse brainstorming template walks your team through this process step-by-step. With our visual tools, you can easily map out all the ways to create the problem, then reverse-engineer those ideas into practical solutions. Bonus: the process often sparks out-of-the-box ideas you’d never consider otherwise.

Brainwriting template

Got quiet teammates who don’t love speaking up in a big group? Brainwriting might be your new favorite technique. Instead of brainstorming out loud, participants write their ideas down, often building on others’ contributions in the process.

The brainwriting template streamlines this for both in-person and remote teams. Team members can add their thoughts in real-time or asynchronously, using sticky notes to capture their input. This approach creates space for every voice and often leads to a wider range of ideas.

Other brainstorming examples from our library

Need even more inspiration? Miro’s library is packed with brainstorming templates designed to spark creativity and structure your sessions. Here are a few fan favorites:

Research topic brainstorm template

Starting a new project or campaign? The research topic brainstorm template helps your team uncover key questions, topics, and areas to explore. It’s especially helpful when you’re in the early stages and need to generate a lot of ideas quickly.

Using Miro’s visual tools, you can organize related ideas into clusters and make connections between themes. The result? A roadmap for deeper exploration.

Idea funnel backlog

If your team struggles with prioritizing ideas, the idea funnel backlog is a lifesaver. This template organizes brainstorming output into a funnel that moves from broad, raw ideas to actionable steps.

With Miro, it’s easy to visually sort ideas into stages and get buy-in from the team. Plus, integrations with tools like Jira or Asana mean you can move ideas straight into your workflow—no extra steps needed.

Random words template

Sometimes, all you need to spark creativity is a little randomness. The random words template throws unrelated words into the mix, forcing your team to make surprising connections. For example, if the word is “cloud,” how could that inspire your next marketing campaign?

This template is perfect for breaking out of a creative rut, and Miro’s real-time collaboration tools make it fun for teams to build on each other’s ideas.

Crazy eights template

Need rapid-fire ideas? The crazy eights template is all about speed. Participants fold a piece of paper into eight sections (or use Miro’s digital version) and sketch eight ideas in eight minutes.

It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s an amazing way to generate volume. Miro’s template lets you sketch digitally, so remote teams can join the action with ease.

Other frameworks to get the creative juices going

Looking for more structured brainstorming diagram examples? These frameworks might be just what your team needs to unlock fresh ideas:

Six thinking hats

The six thinking hats technique divides brainstorming into six distinct perspectives—like logic, emotion, and creativity. It’s perfect for tackling complex problems.

Miro’s collaborative features make it easy to switch between these perspectives and capture input in real-time. Teams can use color-coded sticky notes to represent each “hats” perspective, keeping the process visual and engaging.

SCAMPER model

SCAMPER stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse. It’s a powerful framework for innovating existing products, services, or processes.

Miro’s SCAMPER template guides your team through each step, ensuring no angle is overlooked. With Miro’s integration features, you can easily share findings or next steps with other stakeholders.

Concept map

Need to organize ideas around a central theme? The concept map is a classic tool for visualizing connections and relationships.

Miro’s drag-and-drop functionality makes creating a concept map intuitive and fast. Plus, the flexibility to add images, links, or notes means your map becomes a living document the team can reference throughout the project.

Double bubble map

The double bubble map is ideal for comparing and contrasting two ideas or concepts. Whether you’re evaluating two potential strategies or products, this tool helps clarify similarities and differences.

Miro’s template ensures your comparisons are visually clear, making it easier for your team to make informed decisions.

Run better brainstorming sessions with Miro

Ready to take your brainstorming to the next level? Miro’s innovation workspace is purpose-built for creativity and collaboration. From pre-built templates to intuitive visual tools, Miro helps your team generate, organize, and prioritize ideas—whether you’re in a brainstorming meeting or working asynchronously.

Here’s what sets Miro apart:

• Pre-built templates: Save time with templates designed for specific brainstorming methods, so you can jump straight into generating ideas.

• Visual collaboration: Use sticky notes, diagrams, and images to bring your team’s ideas to life. Everyone can see and contribute, in real-time or async.

• Seamless integrations: Connect Miro with tools like Slack, Jira, or Google Workspace to keep your workflows smooth.

Brainstorming doesn’t have to feel chaotic or aimless. With Miro, you can keep your sessions focused, productive, and—most importantly—fun.

Try one of our brainstorming templates today and see the difference for yourself!