Plus-Minus-Interesting was developed by Dr. Edward de Bono. The tool encourages critical thinking as it fosters discussion of an idea from multiple points of view.

The goal of PMI is to overcome some of the narrow views that can be shared when a person expresses their opinion. By considering the plus, minus and interesting aspects of the same decision, it opens up each person’s thinking and encourages creativity.

Here’s how you use the tool –

1. Invite everyone and introduce the purpose of the meeting.

2. Ask everyone to share ideas on each of the columns.

3. Consider the Plus Points. In this step, simply enumerate the positive things you can think of. Don’t critique yourself or the team, simply spill out all the positive points that you can think of.

4. Consider the Minus Points. In this step, enumerate the negative things you can think of. Again, don’t critique. Simply spill out all the negative points you can think of.

5. Consider the Interesting Points of the Situation. In this step, enumerate all the interesting points that you can think of. Rather than positive or negative, they are simply points of interest that you should direct your attention to.

6. If you have done this via individual brainstorming, you may want to add a group stage to consolidate ideas that are the same.

7. Ask people to read and to vote on the top 5 statements that they would like to discuss further.

8. Make your conclusion. In this step, you make your judgement because you’ve scanned and organized three important aspects: the positives, the negatives, and the interesting.

As you can see, PMI is a great tool for critical thinking, focusing our attention, evaluation and analysis. After using this technique you should be in a better position to make your appraisal.