Brainwalk

Purpose

Brainwalk combats the fatigue and groupthink of traditional brainstorming by getting people physically moving. Each station poses a different question or sub-challenge. As participants rotate, they build on ideas left by previous visitors, creating a layered, cross-pollinated set of solutions.

At a glance

• Group size: 6–24 (split into groups of 3–4)
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Difficulty: Low
• Facilitation style: Station-based, self-guided with facilitator timing
• Setting: Room with 4–6 stations (flip charts or whiteboards) spread apart

How to run

1. Set up stations (5 min before): Place 4–6 flip charts around the room. Write a different question or sub-challenge at the top of each.
2. Form groups (2 min): Split participants into groups matching the number of stations.
3. Round 1 (5 min): Each group brainstorms at their starting station. Write ideas on the flip chart.
4. Rotate (1 min): Groups move clockwise to the next station.
5. Rounds 2–4 (5 min each): At each new station, groups read previous ideas, then add new ones or build on existing ones. Star ideas they find particularly strong.
6. Harvest (3 min): Everyone walks the full circuit. Each group picks their top idea from the stations they visited.

Materials needed

• 4–6 flip charts or large paper sheets
• Markers (different colour per group helps)
• Star stickers or markers for highlighting
• Timer with clear signal

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Same question at every station: The value comes from exploring different facets. Diversify the prompts.
• Not reading previous ideas: Groups must engage with what’s already there before adding new ideas.
• Too many stations: 4–6 is ideal. More than 6 creates fatigue.
• No harvest: Without the final walk-through, the ideas stay fragmented.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Ensure stations are physically accessible (table height, wheelchair-friendly spacing).
• Use large, legible writing.
• Allow one group member to be the scribe if others prefer verbal contribution.

Variations

• Digital brainwalk: Use separate Miro frames as "stations" for remote teams.
• Expert stations: Place a domain expert at each station to provide real-time input.
• Gallery brainwalk: Instead of questions, each station shows a different user insight or competitor example.

When NOT to use this

• When the group is too small (fewer than 6) — the rotation doesn’t add value.
• When the challenge has only one dimension — multiple stations force artificial splitting.
• When deep analysis is needed rather than broad idea generation.

Source & further reading

• VanGundy, Arthur B. — *101 Activities for Teaching Creativity and Problem Solving* (Pfeiffer, 2005)
• Gray, Brown & Macanufo — *Gamestorming* (O’Reilly, 2010)
• Michalko, Michael — *Thinkertoys* (Ten Speed Press, 2006)