Educators talk about the importance of injecting convergent and divergent thinking into learning frameworks. Divergence pushes you to reach for ideas, while convergence allows you to take all of these ideas, reflect upon them (“fact-check”), and create actionable steps that lead to progress (fig. 1A). Two sides of the same coin.
The Mesh Method uses convergence and divergence as the means to initiate actionable brainstorming. Actionable brainstorming is a concept that ties ideas to value. Value is determined per-session, based on each unique challenge.
Participants are first asked to define a problem to solve (Discovery). Once the problem is understood, they are encouraged to free-flow ideas and test theories related to solving the challenge (Brainstorming or Divergence). This is done in a structured way, designed to give equal opportunity to contribute and listen. When the brainstorming session ends, the moderator (a non-participant in charge of monitoring and refereeing) asks the group to create some next steps, assigned to each participant (Value or Convergence). These action items may include, for example:
- Contacting the customer about a specific concern
- Writing/updating documentation
- Submitting hotfixes for code review
- Sharing findings during a team meeting
…and so on. The potential paths are endless, and possible due to sharing perspectives and knowledge transfer.
Divergence and convergence go hand in hand. If you follow a process that favors one over the other, you are either:
- Confusing activity with accomplishment, or
- Limiting your potential positive outcomes
However, when combined you have a powerful tool that helps solve challenges comprehensively.
When you have established a trusting climate where it’s safe to be wrong and everyone is encouraged to brainstorm ideas, you can implement an approach that blends the ebb and flow of divergent and convergent processes. This leads to brainstorming with purpose and incredible value.
