Edward de Bono

The CoRT Thinking Programme

Basic Principles
Thinking is a skill that can be developed
Most practical thinking takes place in
the perception stage.
The tools method is used to teach
thinking.
Plus Minus Interesting PMI
The Treatment Of deas
nstead of !ust deciding whether or not
"ou like an idea# make an effort to find

the good points $P%Plus&

the bad points $M%Minus&

the interesting points $%lnteresting&

Plus Minus Interesting PMI
P % Plus

The good things about an idea ' wh" "ou

like it
M % Minus

The bad things about an idea ' wh" "ou

don(t like it
% nterest

)hat "ou find interesting about an idea

PMI ' E*ample
)indows should be made of transparent
plastic instead of glass
P+

The" wouldn,t break as easil"

The" would not be as dangerous when broken

M+

Plastic would be more e*pensive than glass

Plastic would get scratched ver" easil"

+

Perhaps windows could be of all colours if plastic

Perhaps we take it for granted that glass is best

since we are used to it
PMI - Exercise
Taking the -.M route
Time

/ mins

Plus ' 0 min

Minus ' 0 min

nteresting ' 0 min

Aims# Goals 1 Ob!ectives AGO
To introduce and emphasise the idea of
purpose
2ocus directl" and deliberatel" on the
intention behind actions.
Aim is the general direction
Goal is an ultimate destination
Objective is a recognisable point of
achievement along the wa"
AGO - Exercise
Taking the -.M route
Time

3 mins
Consider All Factors CAF
Related to

4ction

-ecision

Planning

5udgement

Conclusion
Consider

the factors affecting oneself

the factors affecting other people

the factors affecting societ" in general.

First Important Priorities FIP
The process of picking out the most
important ideas# factors# ob!ectives#
conse6uences
To be used in con!unction with other
techni6ues $e.g. C42# 4PC &
Purpose is to restore the balance in a
deliberate manner.
2P is a !udgement situation and there are no
absolute answers.
CAF & FIP - Exercise
7ow to pick a career
Time

C42 ' 8 mins

2P 9 0 min
Alternatives# Possibilities 1
Choices APC
The process of deliberatel" tr"ing to
find alternatives.
4n attempt to focus attention directl"
on e*ploring all the alternatives or
choices or possibilities ' be"ond the
obvious ones
4pplies not onl" to action but also to
e*planations.
APC - Exercise
:ou hate "our degree
Time

/ mins
Other Peoples Views OPV
The process of looking at other people s
viewpoints so that the process can be
used consciousl" and deliberatel"
Consider the views of all stakeholders
Can be emplo"ed in con!unction with
other techni6ues
OPV - Exercise
4 student fails to submit an assignment
due to work pressure. The lecturer fails
the student. The student appeals to the
head of school who upholds the failure.
)hat are the views of the student#
lecturer# head of school ;
Time

/ mins
Conse6uence 1<e6uel C&S
The process of looking ahead to see the
conse6uences of some action# plan# decision#
rule# invention
C1< deals with what ma" happen after the
decision has been made
mmediate conse6uences
<hort'term $0'3 "ears&
Medium'term $3'= "ears&
>ong'term conse6uences $over = "ears&.
C&S- Exercise
:ou have invented a new electronic
robot which will replace human labour.
Time

0.= mins

<hort Term

Medium Term

>ong Term
?seful >inks
http+@@schoolnet.gov.mt@thinkingskills@thinkingtools.htm
http+@@www.edwarddebonofoundation.com@introduction.htm