P

M

I

lus

inus

nterestingBased on the work of Dr. Edward de Bono

Often, when presentedwith a new idea, our first

questions/thoughtsare negative.

What is wrong with this?

Will it cause problems?

Are there costs involved?

How much time will this take?

The PMI method gives deliberate attention to exploring, first, the positives or plus factors in the new idea.

The second operation when

using the PMI is to look for negatives or

minus factors.The third operation is to look for the interesting possibilities in the new idea.

Without exploring an idea for possibilities or alternatives, a new idea has only a 50/50 chance of

survival. Those considering it either like it or dislike it. When the interesting possibilities are

explored, whatever our initial impressions, we broaden our view of the idea by adding to the plus

factors already identified or finding alternatives that give the idea more

chance of 'survival'.

To Use the PMI Method:Step One…make a chartPLUS MINUS INTERESTING

To Use the PMI Method:

PLUS MINUS INTERESTING

Fill in the chart from left to right with items in each column.

Step Two…

To Use the PMI Method:

PLUS MINUS INTERESTING

Give each item a + or – amount from one to five (i.e. +3 or -2)

Step Three…

To Use the PMI Method:

PLUS MINUS INTERESTING

Add up the amounts in each column and see if the idea’s score is overall negative or positive.

Step Four…

In your groups…Use the provided chart and apply the PMI

Method to the following ideas…You will only have four minutes to complete the

chart for each idea!IDEA ONE: By law all cars should be painted bright yellow.

IDEA TWO: People should wear badges showing whether they are in a good mood or a bad mood that day.

IDEA THREE: Every adult should spend one week a year in the police force.

IDEA FOUR: People should be allowed to work 10 hours a day for 4 days and have the rest of the week free, instead of working 8 hours a day for 5 days.

Plus Minus Interesting

More going on (+5) Have to sell house (-6) Easier to find new job? (+1)

Easier to see friends (+5) More pollution (-3) Meet more people? (+2)

Easier to get places (+3) Less space (-3)More difficult to get own work done? (-4)

  No countryside (-2)  

 More difficult to get to work? (-4)

 

+13 -18 -1

Real World Example:

A young professional is deciding where to live.

Her question is 'Should she move to the big city?'

She draws up the PMI table below: