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 1- Breadth
CoRT 2- Organisation
CoRT 3- Interaction
CoRT 4- Creativity
CoRT 5- Information
CoRT 6- 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

Consider All Factors (CAF) Dont limit yourself to the obvious. Consider all the factors
affecting you, others, and society in general before coming
up with your idea

Rules 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.

Consequences & Sequences Looking ahead to consider the consequences of an action.

(C&S)

Aims, Goals & Objectives When taking action or creating ideas, consider the general
(AGO) direction, the ultimate destination and points of achievement
along the way

Planning 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

First Important Priorities Pick out the most important factors of what you are
considering and assess the order of their importance in any
given situation

Alternatives, Possibilities & An antidote to emotional reaction. Focus attention on

Choices (APC) exploring as many options as possible - looking beyond the
satisfactory/obvious ones

Decisions Making a decision provides an opportunity to use all the

other Breadth Tools

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)

Stepping Stone 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

Random Input Bringing in something random/unconnected to the situation in

order to trigger new ideas

Concept Challenge 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)

Dominant Idea Recognising the main ideas behind a situation in order to not
be restricted by them

Define the Problem 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.

Remove Faults 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.

Combination 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

Requirements Considering requirements at the beginning of the process will

shape the ideas in a creative way.

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?