Clustering

a brainstorming technique
The concept
You may already be familiar with the idea of
the ‘computer cluster’ – a group of computers
linked together so that they, essentially,
function as a single unit.
The practice
This brainstorming technique operates on a
similar principle.

 Like a computer cluster, clustering to generate

ideas is a non-linear activity
 It allows you to explore many ideas as they occur to
you and to begin without a clear focus
 Like invention, it is a messy and meandering
process
The process

 write down a word or idea that you are

particularly interested in
 begin jotting down words or phrases that come
to mind surrounding that word
 join words and idea strings with circles and
arrows to establish their associations
 when you have exhausted one particular string
of associations, choose another central word
and begin clustering around it again
Example
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