CoRT

photographAlison James

A summary of Edward de Bonos CoRT Thinking Tools to help you wake up your thinking and view situations differently
CoRT stands for Cognitive Research Trust, a programme designed by Dr de Bono in the 1970s. The Tools that are set out here are very much an abbreviated version of his approach and an outline of his groups of lessons provided below in the blue box. For general information on Edward de Bono go to http://www.edwdebono.com or for specific information on CoRT http://www.edwdebono.com/cort/index.html

Six CoRT categories

CoRT CoRT CoRT CoRT CoRT CoRT 123456Breadth Organisation Interaction Creativity Information Action

On the next page you will find examples of activities, often with useful acronyms (abbreviations or groups of letters representing short phrases or names) set against two of the six CoRT themes set out above - Breadth and Creativity. Try some of them in relation to tasks you have to undertake or problems you need to solve to see how they can help you develop your options and broaden your understanding and vision.

CoRT 1 Breadth

Plus/Minus/Interesting (PMI)

A way of reacting to, and treating ideas. Break down your first natural responses to them. Consider what is P/M/I about the idea Dont limit yourself to the obvious. Consider all the factors affecting you, others, and society in general before coming up with your idea Consider the explicit and implicit rules inherent in the given situation. Practise PMI on the existing Rules. CAF of new Rules that may need to be devised. Looking ahead to consider the consequences of an action.

Consider All Factors (CAF)

Rules

Consequences & Sequences (C&S) Aims, Goals & Objectives (AGO)

When taking action or creating ideas, consider the general direction, the ultimate destination and points of achievement along the way Thinking ahead to consider that youre going to do and devising a clear programme of how youre going to do it. An opportunity to practise PMI, CAF, C&S and AGO Pick out the most important factors of what you are considering and assess the order of their importance in any given situation An antidote to emotional reaction. Focus attention on exploring as many options as possible - looking beyond the satisfactory/obvious ones Making a decision provides an opportunity to use all the other Breadth Tools

Planning

First Important Priorities

Alternatives, Possibilities & Choices (APC)

Decisions

Other Peoples Views

An antidote to selfishness. Other peoples views are essential for gaining the bigger picture. Seek them.

CoRT 4 Creativity

Yes, No, Po

A way of looking at things, used to judge ideas creatively (Po = Possibly) To use an idea creatively, as a stepping stone to other ideas. Say/do something unlikely or outrageous as a way to move beyond the current situation Bringing in something random/unconnected to the situation in order to trigger new ideas A way of not taking things for granted. Looking at the accepted ideas and refuting/challenging them. (It does not matter if the original idea remains the best at the end of this process) Recognising the main ideas behind a situation in order to not be restricted by them An effort to define a problem exactly may lead to it being easier to solve. What is the real problem here? How is best defined? Not just by linguistics or semantics but by purpose. Pick out all the faults in a given idea and try and remove them. Faults may be obvious or they may be a matter of omission. Removing faults is a limited form of creativity but it may improve things. Put together things that have existed separately in order to create something that has a value greater than the sum of its parts. Adding things or combining different principles Considering requirements at the beginning of the process will shape the ideas in a creative way.

Stepping Stone

Random Input

Concept Challenge

Dominant Idea

Define the Problem

Remove Faults

Combination

Requirements

Evaluation

Look at the value of the idea, not so much in itself but in relation to the situation. How does it fit the requirements? What are the disadvantages?