Problemsolving Technique 6: 6-3-5 Method

The name 6-3-5 stands for six participants who each write down three ideas within five minutes. The process begins with a clear definition of the problem or question. Each participant writes their three ideas on a piece of paper and passes it on to the next participant after five minutes. The next participant builds on the existing ideas and adds new ones. This cycle continues until each participant has seen all the sheets. At the end of the process, there are 108 ideas (6 participants x 3 ideas x 6 rounds) that can be further analysed and evaluated.

Advantages of the 6-3-5 method

A key advantage of the 6-3-5 method is its structure, which ensures that all participants are equally involved and can contribute their ideas. This promotes equal participation and prevents dominant personalities from dominating the discussion. The written form of brainstorming also lowers inhibitions, allowing even introverted team members to express their thoughts freely.

Promoting creative collaboration

The 6-3-5 method supports creative collaboration and makes it possible to consider different perspectives. When all participants build on each other's ideas, a dynamic and iterative process emerges that can lead to surprising and innovative solutions. This method harnesses the collective intelligence of the team and fosters the creative potential of each individual.

Why is the 6-3-5 method so effective?

The 6-3-5 method is an extremely effective technique for promoting creativity and solving problems. It enables the generation of a large number of ideas in a short period of time and supports collective problem solving. By encouraging collaboration and free thinking, the 6-3-5 method significantly contributes to the development of innovative and effective solutions that support the long-term success of a company. The essential part of the 6-3-5 method is the structured and iterative process that maximises the creativity of each team member.

An example of how the 6-3-5 method is used could be a team meeting where all participants write their ideas on post-it notes and then stick them on a pinboard. As you can see below, Miro is suitable for this.