Problem solving

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PMI - Plus/Minus/Interesting

What is PMI?
PMI stands for 'Plus/Minus/Interesting'. It is a valuable development (by Edward de Bono) of the 'pros and cons' technique used for centuries.
PMI is a basic decision making tool. When you are facing a difficult decision, simply draw up a table headed up 'Plus', 'Minus', and 'Interesting'. In the column underneath the 'Plus' heading, write down all the positive points of taking the action. Underneath the 'Minus' heading write down all the negative effects. In the 'Interesting' column write down the extended implications of taking the action, whether positive or negative.


Scoring your PMI table
You may be able to make a decision just from the table you have drawn up. Alternatively, consider each of the points you have written down and assign a positive or negative score to each appropriately. The scores you assign can be entirely subjective. Once you have done this, add up the score. A strongly positive score indicated that an action should be taken, a strongly negative score that it should be avoided.
An example is shown below:


Should I move to the big city?

Plus Minus Interesting
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More going on Have to sell my Easier to find a new job? (+1)
(+5) house (-6)
Easier to see More pollution (-3) Meet more people? (+2)
my friends
(+5) Less space (-3) More difficult to get work done?(-4)
No countryside (-2)
Easier to get More difficult to get to work? (-4)
places (+3)
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13 -14 -5 = - 6
Total = -6 - I'm happier living just outside the city.


For further information
Edward de Bono, Serious Creativity, HarperBusiness, New York, US, 1992.

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SWOT Analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
SWOT Analysis is an effective method of identifying your Strengths and Weaknesses, and to examine the Opportunities and Threats you face. Often carrying out an analysis using the SWOT framework will be enough to reveal changes which can be usefully made.
To carry out a SWOT Analysis write down answers to the following questions:


Strengths:
What are your advantages?
What do you do well?
Consider this from your own point of view and from the point of view of the people you deal with. Don't be modest, be realistic. If you are having any difficulty with this, try writing down a list of your characteristics. Some of these will hopefully be strengths!

Weaknesses:
What could be improved?
What is done badly?
What should be avoided?
Again this should be considered from an internal and external basis - do other people perceive weaknesses that you don't see? Do your competitors do any better? It is best to be realistic now, and face any unpleasant truths as soon as possible.

Opportunities
Where are the good chances facing you?
What are the interesting trends?
Useful opportunities can come from such things as:
Changes in technology and markets on both a broad and narrow scale
Changes in government policy related to your field
Changes in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes, etc.
Local Events

Threats
What obstacles do you face?
What is your competition doing?
Are the required specifications for your job, products or services changing?
Is changing technology threatening your position?
Do you have bad debt or cash-flow problems?
Carrying out this analysis is will often be illuminating - both in terms of pointing out what needs to be done, and in putting problems into perspective.