PMI is a futurespective for discussing an idea or concept from multiple points of view. It fosters conversations about the positive (plus), negative (minus), and considerations that are neither good nor bad (interesting).

Running the activity:

  1. Split the canvas into three areas: plus, minus, interesting.
  2. Ask participants to add notes to each area: “What do you consider will be positive (plus), negative (minus) and interesting about what’s ahead of us.”
  3. Discuss with the group about the notes.

The PMI thinking activity was developed by Dr. Edward de Bono, father of lateral thinking and creativity. While it works well for looking ahead, we have also seen it working well as a retrospective. In this case, change the sentence to “please share with us what you consider was the positive (plus), negative (minus), or interesting“.

 

Remote-team advice: This activity works well for remote teams. Use a remote board of your choice.

 
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DE BONO, Edward. Tactics: The Art and Science of Success. Gardners Books, 1995.