Notes on Edward de Bono's Power of Perception tools:
For solutions that PoP
Edward de Bono came up with the tools used for the Power of Perception (once called Direct Attention Thinking Tools or DATT). The idea is that perception creates deception, so to get to the truth of a situation, it is important to change perception as much as possible, which will help eliminate deception.
When it comes to perception, people often fail to look for something, only see part of the situation, leave out important details, fail to think about consequences, leave out other people’s thinking or opinions and fail to generate alternatives. The PoP tools can help take care of that.
Each tool has a symbol that goes with it. You can see them on this video, which includes a couple of the older tools as well. My own thoughts are in brackets.
These tools are designed to help direct your attention to something that you may otherwise overlook. There is no set order, in which they must be used.
Aims, Goals and Objectives (AGO)
The symbol is an arrow headed to a target.
You will want to generate one list that encompasses all three concepts. Alternatively, you could come up with one overall objective and then create a list of three subobjectives and a right now objective.
Consider All Factors (CAF)
[There is no half CAF here.] The symbol is an arrow that is formed from a spiral.
Make a list. When you think you are done, add more to the list. When you think you are done add even more to the list. Make sure that you are getting the factors that are also secondarily related to the problem at hand.
First Important Priorities (FIP)
[Time to FIP out!] The symbol is a set of five vertical lines with the first two circled.
This is a tool that is subjective and value laden. When you have a list that you are ready to move forward with, you want to make sure that you know what your priorities are. Choose three to five priorities that you want to satisfy with your decision.
Alternatives, Possibilities and Choices (APC)
[APC easy as 1-2-3] The symbol is four arrows diverging from each other.
Sometimes, when people find a solution that will work, they stop looking for other solutions. The first workable solution isn’t always the best, easiest, most efficient; it is just the first. APC directs attention to alternative solutions. Keep coming up with new solutions. If you have 30 seconds where no solutions present themselves look at the list in a different way. When you are in the thick of it, you need to make an effort to get out, this is a part of that effort.
Plus, Minus, Interesting (PMI)
[There is never too much information] The symbol is three arrows one on top of the other. The top arrow turns at a 90 degree angle to point up, the bottom arrow turns at a 90 degree angle to point down, and the middle arrow points straight ahead.
Use one at a time to engage in lateral thinking. (Lateral thinking allows people to engage in thinking in a non-competitive way. It helps keep people on the same wave-length and diffuses territoriality that comes with protecting ideas and egos.) Come up with the positives, the negatives and the things that “it would be interesting to see if…” using that phrase to state what would be interesting.
Consequences and Sequences (C and S)
[C and S pure brain sugar] The symbol is an arrow whose tail has bounced twice creating two hills.
You may impose a time frame for the ideas – Are the consequences immediate, short-term or long-term? A focus can help people come up with more ideas. Find general consequences first and the move to the details.
Other People’s Views (OPV)
[Are you down with OPV?] The symbol is a stick figure head and neck with an arrow making a U-turn from above the head through the center of the circle that forms the head.
This tool gives you the opportunity to consider solutions through the eyes of someone else. Choose a stakeholder and ask how they see the problem or possible solutions. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.
When it comes to perception, people often fail to look for something, only see part of the situation, leave out important details, fail to think about consequences, leave out other people’s thinking or opinions and fail to generate alternatives. The PoP tools can help take care of that.
Each tool has a symbol that goes with it. You can see them on this video, which includes a couple of the older tools as well. My own thoughts are in brackets.
These tools are designed to help direct your attention to something that you may otherwise overlook. There is no set order, in which they must be used.
Aims, Goals and Objectives (AGO)
The symbol is an arrow headed to a target.
You will want to generate one list that encompasses all three concepts. Alternatively, you could come up with one overall objective and then create a list of three subobjectives and a right now objective.
Consider All Factors (CAF)
[There is no half CAF here.] The symbol is an arrow that is formed from a spiral.
Make a list. When you think you are done, add more to the list. When you think you are done add even more to the list. Make sure that you are getting the factors that are also secondarily related to the problem at hand.
First Important Priorities (FIP)
[Time to FIP out!] The symbol is a set of five vertical lines with the first two circled.
This is a tool that is subjective and value laden. When you have a list that you are ready to move forward with, you want to make sure that you know what your priorities are. Choose three to five priorities that you want to satisfy with your decision.
Alternatives, Possibilities and Choices (APC)
[APC easy as 1-2-3] The symbol is four arrows diverging from each other.
Sometimes, when people find a solution that will work, they stop looking for other solutions. The first workable solution isn’t always the best, easiest, most efficient; it is just the first. APC directs attention to alternative solutions. Keep coming up with new solutions. If you have 30 seconds where no solutions present themselves look at the list in a different way. When you are in the thick of it, you need to make an effort to get out, this is a part of that effort.
Plus, Minus, Interesting (PMI)
[There is never too much information] The symbol is three arrows one on top of the other. The top arrow turns at a 90 degree angle to point up, the bottom arrow turns at a 90 degree angle to point down, and the middle arrow points straight ahead.
Use one at a time to engage in lateral thinking. (Lateral thinking allows people to engage in thinking in a non-competitive way. It helps keep people on the same wave-length and diffuses territoriality that comes with protecting ideas and egos.) Come up with the positives, the negatives and the things that “it would be interesting to see if…” using that phrase to state what would be interesting.
Consequences and Sequences (C and S)
[C and S pure brain sugar] The symbol is an arrow whose tail has bounced twice creating two hills.
You may impose a time frame for the ideas – Are the consequences immediate, short-term or long-term? A focus can help people come up with more ideas. Find general consequences first and the move to the details.
Other People’s Views (OPV)
[Are you down with OPV?] The symbol is a stick figure head and neck with an arrow making a U-turn from above the head through the center of the circle that forms the head.
This tool gives you the opportunity to consider solutions through the eyes of someone else. Choose a stakeholder and ask how they see the problem or possible solutions. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.