Tools for creating ideas

I recommend : Assumption Busting: Surfacing and challenging unconscious assumptions.<p>Attribute Listing: Listing attributes of objects and then challenging them.<p>SCAMPER: Using action verbs as stimuli.<p>Wishing: State ideas as wishes to expand thinking.

One of my favorites isn't there and might not quite fit, but it's Devonthink Pro, as described by Steven Berlin Johnson: <a href="http://www.stevenberlinjohnson.com/movabletype/archives/000230.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.stevenberlinjohnson.com/movabletype/archives/0002...</a> .

There are good lists and methods from Edward De Bono (i.e: Lateral Thinking), Genrich Altshuller (TRIZ). For a good anthology on thinking skills instruction you can look at: <a href="http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED306559.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED306559.pdf</a><p>But it's important to note that those are tools and ideas production can't be generalized in a methodic way, similar discussions on the scientific method. Ironically the source of science can be unscientific sources as beliefs, religion, magic thinking, myths, random.<p>If it helps, I summarized a list of all hacker news articles with ideas in the title (using hnsearch api, sample code included in the main article). These are mainly articles about ideas vs execution, etc but can help: <a href="http://blog.databigbang.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/HackerNews-Ideas-Articles.html" rel="nofollow">http://blog.databigbang.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Hacke...</a>

And there is more, for defining, selecting and implementing ideas:<p><a href="http://creatingminds.org/tools/tools.htm" rel="nofollow">http://creatingminds.org/tools/tools.htm</a>

I use a notebook for mind mapping and Google docs to keep lists of ideas