Tool 47: Crawford Slip Method

AKA

Crawford Slip Writing

Classification

Idea Generating (IG)

Tool description

Pioneered by C. C. Crawford, the Crawford Slip method is a structured approach used to collect a large number of ideas from a group. A facilitator first displays a problem statement or issue, then participants generate ideas and write them on a provided slip of paper or 3 5 index card. Since this is an anonymous process, more candid and creative ideas result.

Typical application

• To generate anonymously ideas on how to deal with a sensitive issue or topic.

• To identify real and perceived problem areas in the organization.

• To collect ideas for process, product, or service imporovement.

• To produce potential problem-solving solutions.

Problem-solving phase

→	Select and define problem or opportunity
→	Identify and analyze causes or potential change
→	Develop and plan possible solutions or change
	Implement and evaluate solution or change
	Measure and report solution or change results
	Recognize and reward team efforts

Typically used by

	Research/statistics
1	Creativity/innovation
	Engineering
4	Project management
	Manufacturing
2	Marketing/sales
	Administration/documentation
	Servicing/support
	Customer/quality metrics
3	Change management

links to other tools

before

• Buzz Group

• Weighted Voting

• Sticking Dots

• Checklist

• Interview Technique

after

• Value analysis

• Criteria Filtering

• Multivoting

• Consensus Decision Making

• Nominal Group Technique (NGT)

Notes and key points

• The Crawford Slip method of brainstorming:

  Advantages

  • Any size group (small to large).

  • Any seating arrangement.

  • Broader participation (includes less expressive participants).

  • Large quantity of ideas.

  • Good for sensitive topics since participants' input is anonymous, without team interaction.

  • Easier process of sorting ideas.

  Disadvantages

  • Overall slow process.

  • Cannot build on other ideas (piggybacking).

  • Written ideas may not be legible or clear.

  • Written ideas may be stated as a word when they require a lengthy paragraph.

Step-by-step procedure

• STEP 1 A facilitator explains the procedure to the team (or large group) and hands out slips of paper or 3 5 index cards to each participant.

• STEP 2 A flip chart with a written problem statement or an issue to be brainstormed is displayed to the team.

• STEP 3 Participants respond by writing their ideas on the provided papers, one idea per paper or card, and then pass them to the facilitator. See example Perceived Organizational Problems.

• STEP 4 This process continues for approximately 25 minutes, and the rest of the additional ideas are handed to the facilitator.

• STEP 5 If this process was completed with a relatively small team of 6-12 participants, ideas can now be sorted by frequency and category. Ideas from a large group would require sorting and analysis at a later date.

Example of tool application

Perceived Organizational Problems