Brainstorming is a creative problem-solving technique used to generate a large number of ideas in a short amount of time. It is a group activity that encourages individuals to share their thoughts and ideas without fear of criticism or judgement.

The basic idea behind brainstorming is to encourage free-flowing, unfiltered ideas that can later be evaluated and refined. The goal is to come up with a broad range of ideas, even if they seem silly or unrealistic at first. By allowing everyone to contribute, brainstorming can help uncover new perspectives and insights that might not have been considered otherwise.

Brainstorming typically follows these steps:

1. Define the problem or topic to be brainstormed.
2. Set a time limit for generating ideas (usually around 10-20 minutes).
3. Encourage everyone in the group to share their ideas, no matter how unconventional or seemingly irrelevant.
4. Write down or record all ideas, without any discussion or evaluation.
5. Once the time limit is up, evaluate and refine the ideas, focusing on the most promising ones.

Brainstorming can be done in person or remotely, and there are many variations and techniques that can be used to enhance the process. It is a valuable tool for generating innovative solutions, fostering teamwork, and overcoming creative blocks.