Idea Mining

The Innovation Office of the University of Münster developed the concept of Idea Mining in 2003 as an innovative and unconventional tool for creative problem-solving. In over 200 workshops the Idea Mining has proven to be an exceptionally efficient and solution-oriented instrument. It can help companies and institutions pursue approaches which normally lie hidden in the jungle of everyday working life.

Over the course of one day, an interdisciplinary team devotes their entire synaptic energy to tackling a problem from various angles. Professional moderators and specially trained creative technicians engage in a creative brainstorming process. Without such lateral thinking, the development of new solutions would hardly be possible. For nothing is more crippling to creativity than sitting at one's workstation day in and day out.

International Idea Mining

The Innovation Office regularly receives inquiries about Idea Mining from abroad, and in past years, numerous workshops and training programmes have been held worldwide. From Brazil and Colombia to Siberia, Sweden, Scotland, Austria and Egypt, and even Japan, the Innovation Office has organised day-long workshops and workshop series, as well as training programmes lasting several days. There is practically no limit to the areas to which this instrument can be applied – for example, developing new concepts for an archaeological museum, deriving innovations inspired by nature (bionics) and coming up with new ideas for promoting international university exchange in South East Asia. The working language spoken at international workshops is usually English, but if needed, our team can work with translators in the language of the respective country.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.