Creative Ideating Techniques and Idea Evaluation

Creativity is often associated with inspiration; however, when supported by a systematic method, creative thinking is both sustainable and produces more effective results with teamwork. Especially in innovation, product development and user experience processes, finding good ideas alone is not enough - those ideas need to be generated, diversified and evaluated.

In this article, we discuss in detail the basic techniques of the creative ideation process and how to effectively evaluate these ideas.

Why Systematic Idea Generation is Necessary?

Every creative process involves uncertainty, uncertainty, and often pressure. Freeing the mind is important, but structuring this process grounds ideas not only intuition but also strategy.

Why should the creative idea generation process be structured?

• Different perspectives emerge.

• Increased participation within the group.

• Silent ideas also find a voice.

• Thoughts progress in an organized manner.

• A pool of ideas that is large in number and rich in quality is formed.

💡 1. Brainstorming

Classic but still effective

Brainstorming is a creative technique in which a group of participants generate ideas on a specific problem, freely and quickly, without judgment. Developed in the 1950s, this method is still actively used today, both online and in physical environments.

Implementation Steps:

1. Define a clear problem.

2. Set a time limit (usually 15–30 minutes).

3. Encourage participants: “There are no bad ideas.”

4. Don’t judge ideas, just collect them.

5. Group ideas by categorizing them.

Tip:

Use a visual map or “moderator note board” to support the speakers. Participation increases when notes are visible.

😜 2. Worst Possible Idea

Trigger creativity by turning a corner

Sometimes the pressure of the “best idea” locks creative thinking. In this method, the aim is to freely express the worst, most absurd or never-working ideas. This technique is perfect for breaking the ice, especially in stuck groups, and finding brand new approaches through absurd ideas.

How does it work?

• We ask the participants for their “worst” solution ideas on the subject.

• These ideas can be ridiculous or absurd (for example, “Let’s threaten the user to buy the product”).

• Then these ideas are re-examined: “Is there anything useful in this idea?”

Achievements:

• The ability to think in reverse is developed.

• The fear of being judged decreases.

• Conventional patterns are broken.

🔁 3. SCAMPER Technique

Reshaping the existing

SCAMPER is a systematic method that allows a product, service or idea to be considered from different perspectives. This technique is one of the most effective ways to develop and transform an existing concept.

SCAMPER stands for:

• S – Substitute: What can we replace with something else?

• C – Combine: Can we combine two ideas?

• A – Adapt: How can we adapt it to different contexts?

• M – Modify: What features can we amplify or reduce?

• P – Put to another use: Where else can we use this idea?

• E – Eliminate: What can be removed?

• R – Reverse: Can we reverse the process, order, or role?

Example:

Let’s implement SCAMPER for a shopping app:

• Substitute: Replace category menu with search bar.

• Combine: Combine shopping list with social media integration.

• Adapt: Adapting gamification features from fitness apps.

• ...

🟨 4. Visualization and Clustering with Post-it

The Post-it method is very effective for concretizing rapid idea generation in both individual and group work. It is especially ideal for making ideas visible and then grouping them.

Application Process:

1. Write each idea on a separate post-it (one idea – one paper).

2. Place on the wall or on the digital board.

3. Idea types can be separated with color codes.

4. Similar ideas are grouped, clusters are created.

5. Each cluster is labeled with a title.

Why it works:

• Complex ideas are visualized.

• Silent participants also contribute.

• Ideas can then be voted on and prioritized.

✅ Evaluating Ideas: Which Ideas Have Potential?

The idea selection and selection process requires meticulousness as much as the idea generation process. Because choosing the most suitable one among many ideas requires a strategic evaluation.

Evaluation Criteria That Can Be Used:

1. Suitability to User Needs: Does this idea really provide a solution to the user problem?

2. Degree of Innovation: Is the idea different? Does it stand out from existing solutions?

3. Applicability: Can it be implemented in terms of technique, time and resources?

4. Impact: Is the potential impact of the idea large or small?

5. Simplicity: Is its application understandable and simple?

Evaluation Techniques:

• Dot Voting: Each participant is given a certain number of stickers, the most preferred ideas are highlighted.

• Benefit/Difficulty Matrix: Ideas are prioritized by placing them on the axes of “impact” and “feasibility.”

• Decision Matrix: Each idea is scored according to the specified criteria and ranked with total points.

Conclusion: Generating Ideas Is Not Art, It Is a Process

Although creative ideas start with inspiration, they turn into valuable results when they are fed with effective methods. From brainstorming to SCAMPER, from post-it to the reverse idea technique, many tools allow ideas to emerge, grow and filter. However, what makes the real difference is evaluating these ideas correctly and implementing the applicable ones.