• All Methods
    • Strategize
      • Break Down 4
      • Business Model Canvas
      • Competitive Analysis
      • Could, Should, Must
      • Eisenhower Matrix
      • Future Trends
      • Golden Circle
      • HEART Framework
      • How Might We
      • Innovation Board
      • Knowns and Unknowns Framework
      • KPI Tracking
      • Minimum Viable Product
      • One-Minute-Pitch
      • Stakeholder Map
      • SWOT Analysis
      • User Stories
      • Value Proposition
    • Observe
      • 5 Whys
      • 6 Thinking Hats
      • AEIOU Framework
      • Challenge Assumptions
      • Content Audit
      • Contextual Inquiry Plan
      • Emotional Journey Map
      • Empathy Map
      • Field Study
      • Focus Groups
      • Jobs-to-be-done
      • Journey Mapping
      • Mental Models
      • Mobile Diaries
      • Mystery Shopping
      • Netnography
      • Observation
      • Personas
      • Poems
      • Product Love Letters
      • Search-Log Analysis
      • Social Media Monitoring
      • Surveys
      • User Interviews
    • Ideate
      • 6-3-5 Brainwriting
      • Bodystorming
      • Brainstorming
      • Card Sorting
      • Collage
      • Crazy Eights
      • Dark Horse Prototyping
      • Mind Mapping
      • Moodboards
      • SCAMPER
      • Service Blueprints
      • Storyboards
      • Walt Disney Method
      • Worst Possible Ideas
      • Wow-How-Now Matrix
    • Validate
      • A/B Testing
      • Click Dummy
      • Concept Testing Plan
      • Eye Tracking
      • High-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Hypothesis Testing
      • Lessons Learned
      • Low-Fidelity Prototyping
      • Pluralistic Walkthrough
      • Poster Session
      • Remote Usability Test
      • User Testing
      • Wizard of Oz
      • World Café
    • Warm-up
      • 5 Whys
      • Brainstorming
      • Break Down 4
      • Crazy Eights
      • Destroy and Defend
      • Mind Mapping
  • Workshop Bundles
  • About us
  • Meet the Creators
  • Get Support
  1. UX Strategy Kit
  2. Methods
  3. 6-3-5 Brainwriting
beginnerideate
6-3-5 BrainwritingDevelop innovative ideas by writing.
50 – 65 min1 – 12 Participantsworkshoptextteam
+3
Open in FigJam
Summary
Similar to Brainstorming, the 6-3-5 Brainwriting method, helps to generate ideas quickly. However, instead of exchanging these verbally in the group, the ideas are written down. This also gives the quieter team members a chance to contribute their ideas.
Step-by-step
  1. Set up a meeting in a quiet environment. Each participant should have their own writing material, such as pens and paper or the 6-3-5 Brainwriting template.
  2. A theme can be determined before the brainwriting begins, as in the form of a How Might We question. For example: “How might we plan lunch breaks so that the canteen is not overcrowded?”.
  3. Working individually, each participant writes down three ideas, each in its own vertical column on a paper or the worksheet, if provided. In total, this should take no longer than five minutes.
  4. Next, the ideas written down are passed on to the person sitting next to them. This person reads through the ideas carefully and completes each of them by writing down an evolved version of the same idea under the previous one.
  5. Repeat the process until the ideas return to their original authors, or rather five times.
  6. After the creative brainstorming process, the moderator takes the floor again and starts to analyze and evaluate the participants' ideas with them. This can breathe new life into the ideation process and dissolve blockages in thinking.
What you need
  • 6-3-5 Brainwriting template
External resources
  • Method 6-3-5 (BrainWriting)
    by linkmv97
Do you have a question?
These methods might seem simple, but applying them in a real project is another story. We’re there to help. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to get in touch with us at the User Experience Strategy & Design team.
Ask Away!
Explore similar methods
6 Thinking Hatsobserve
6+ Participants
45 – 90 min

Spot quality ideas after having generated a good amount of output.

Eye Trackingvalidate
5+ Participants
100 – 195 min

Track where users are looking to improve on the user experience.

Card Sortingideate
4 – 12 Participants
30 min

Structure information into reasonable groups.

Destroy and Defendwarm-up
4+ Participants
30 – 50 min

Praise and criticize.

Mystery Shoppingobserve
5+ Participants
3 h – 2 d

Observe people having a shopping experience in a store while observing and understanding their behaviour.

© Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, 2023.
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
Categories
  • Strategize
  • Observe
  • Ideate
  • Validate
  • Warm-up
Learn more
  • About Us
  • User Experience Strategy & Design
  • Liquid Design System
Legal
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Imprint
Follow us
  • Dribbble
  • Instagram
  • Medium
  • Behance
This website uses cookies to give you the best, most relevant experience. Using this website means you’re OK with this. You can change which cookies are set at any time – and find out more about them in our Cookie Policy.