As many of you know, we recently launched PIP, a tool to help creative people generate ideas when they need them most. So far we've been getting great feedback from early users, but we also thought we'd start a series on the blog to give some tips about how to get the most out of PIP. These tips also apply to any idea session you are holding.

The most important aspect to any idea session is defining what it is you're trying to do. The more specific and concrete you are about your objective, the more likely you are to "hit" it. As a result, we have implemented something in the PIP called the "Challenge Statement." This is at the center of the PIP worksheet and defines what you're really trying to do.

When establishing a Challenge Statement, whether on the PIP or elsewhere, there are a few principles that can help you gain creative traction fast:

1. Be as specific as possible. "Own the market for hair curlers" is not an effective challenge statement, however "How can we increase market share in Canada?" is. Whenever you want to generate ideas you need to start with a very specific objective. Otherwise, you will spin your wheels.

2. Be real. You can't fool yourself, so it is a waste of time to start with ridiculously aspirational Challenge Statements that will result in impractical ideas. (ex. "Be a billion dollar business by Jan 2011" when you are currently at $2 million revenue.)

3. Divide and conquer. You will be substantially better off in any idea session to break your challenges into focus areas as small as possible. Can you make the challenge more focused? Can you break it into smaller chunks? Doing so will make it more effective. This applies to any type of idea session, whether or not you are using the PIP.

The more effective you are at establishing focus in your idea sessions the more effectively you will gain quick traction and get potentially useful ideas on the table.

So, how have you been using the PIP? Do you have any additional tips that might help others? Any additional ideation tips?