Brainstorming is the process of suggesting many alternatives, without evaluation, to solve a problem. When brainstorming, the group is presented with a problem or opportunity and asked to come up with creative solutions. Brainstorming is commonly used for creating new products, naming products, and developing advertising slogans.

Brainwriting is a variation of brainstorming. To eliminate the influence of team peer pressure and other members’ suggestions, participants write their ideas down. Then ideas are recorded, and members try to improve and combine ideas. It is especially relevant for use with virtual teams meeting online.

Creativity is about coming up with novel ideas. Synectics is the process of generating novel alternatives through role-playing and fantasizing. At first, to expand the group’s thinking process, the leader does not state the exact nature of the situation.

A consensus is a cooperative attempt to develop a solution acceptable to all, rather than a forced decision on some members. The major benefit of consensus is that since the solution is the group’s, members generally are more committed to implementing it. The process is to have a discussion trying to get everyone to agree on the decision to solve the problem or take advantage of the opportunity.