Facilitation Technique Number 11: Pius/Minus/Interesting

The process of evaluating an idea or proposal by delineating its Pluses, its Minuses and listing all items which don't fall into those categories as "Interesting." The Interesting category will, by default, contain most of the issues and risks and unknown questions. By then working through the Interesting column, the participants will decide what is necessary to move the issue into a Plus or Minus category. When all the items are addressed, the plus or minus of the idea will become obvious.

This is essentially the same as a Pro's and Con's analysis, but it is slightly enhanced to make value judgements.

How it Works:

·   Step 1:    The group agrees on the topic to be explored. The topic statement is written down for all to see.

·   Step 2:    Three sheets of flip-chart paper (of course you can use a whiteboard if so desired!) are placed where they are visible to everyone. One is entitled 'PLUS', the second is 'MINUS' and the third is 'INTERESTING'.

·   Step 3:    The facilitator assists the group in identifying topics to go into the three columns. The positive items are placed in the 'PLUSes', the negative items are placed in the 'MINUSes'. Implications or effects of the attributes described in the first two columns are placed on the 'INTERESTING' sheet.

·   Step 4:    When collection of the information is completed, the group then assigns a score to each attribute on all three sheets of paper. The scale normally used is a range of -5 to +5. A -5 means this is very bad, whereas a + 5 means this is very good. A zero would indicate ambivalence.

·   Step 5.    Each sheet is totaled. The three numbers are totaled thus giving an overall assessment of the pros and cons of any given idea. To change the outcome, the group will have to create a plan for changing the relative values of any of the attributes.

Example: Should we get a new dog?

The total cumulative score is a +6. So, we get a new dog!

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