One real problem. Four rounds. A timer, a scoreboard, and a plan you can use on Monday. Everything stays in this browser tab.
Set up the sprint
Pick one problem your team actually owns. Frame it as a question that starts with "How might we".
How the scoring works
Generate (silent): everyone writes ideas alone, no talking. Every idea is worth 10 points. Quantity first, judgment later.
Improve (silent): pick any idea and write a concrete improved version: who does it, what it costs, how you will know it worked. Each improvement earns 15 points.
Score: each finalist gets 1 to 5 on three tests: it solves the problem, your staff can do it, it fits the mission. Highest total wins the round.
The silence is deliberate. Research on idea generation finds that people working alone first produce about three times as many ideas, and better ones, than classic group brainstorming, because nobody self-censors or waits for a turn to speak.
Round 1: Generate
No judging, no "we tried that." Get ideas down. The timer decides when you stop.
8:00
0 pts
Round 2: Improve
Still silent. Pick any idea, yours or someone else's, and write a concrete improved version: who does it, what it costs, how you will know it worked. Working alone keeps the ideas honest.
6:00
0 pts
Round 3: Score
Score each finalist 1 to 5 on the three tests. Be honest; the numbers are the decision.
Debrief
Your sprint summary
Copy this into your notes, your board packet, or Monday's staff meeting agenda.
Three questions for the room
Which idea surprised you, and what does that say about what the team already knew?
What did the scoring tests reveal that the brainstorming hid?
Who owns the winning idea next week, and what is the first step?
Take the Problem Sprint kit
The printable facilitator guide, the scoring sheet, and the blank round cards. Free with your email; the download unlocks after you join the list.
JavaScript unlocks the download after signup. Your email, signup time, and signup source are saved.
Problem Sprint is a free learning game from AssociationAI. Your problem, ideas, and scores never leave this browser tab. Progress saves on this device.