POINt

The POINt approach can be used to strengthen and evaluate an idea. Each letter of POINt, represents a concept to be considered: Pluses, Opportunities, Issues, New Thinking. This approach avoids premature ‘idea-killing’ by using the principle of ‘Praise First’.  

Session Approach

Introduce the POINt technique to participants utilizing the template.
Describe each of the concepts, along with the suggested questions.

Work through POINt concepts in small groups
It may not be feasible, given time constraints or alternate priorities, to review all concepts in POINt. Therefore, divide the participants into pairs or small groups and ask them to work through their top 3-5 ideas.

• Pluses: Make a list of at least three pluses, likes, or strengths of your idea by answering: What is good or unique about your idea now?
• Opportunities: Make a list of at least three opportunities starting with ‘It might…” What are speculations, spin-offs, or possible future gains from your idea? What are the ultimate potentials of this idea/what could it eventually lead to? What opportunities might result if your idea were implemented?
• Issues: Make a list of all concerns you have about your idea by answering: “What concerns or issues are there about this idea?” Phrase your answer in a form of a question starting with , “How to…” or “How might” or “In what ways might”. This invites solutions for how to overcome each one of these concerns, eliminates negative words/phrases (e.g., if you’re concerned about the idea being too costly, say: “How to make it affordable?” NOT “It’ll cost too much” or “How not to make it so expensive?”). This allows for improvement of the idea.
• New Thinking: Generate ways to overcome Issues one at a time, in order of their importance.

Modify and strengthen the original idea

• Leverage the Pluses and Opportunities, and incorporate New Thinking to overcome the Issues
• Write an improved statement of your solution

Bring the full group back together to share their ideas.
Remind the group that every idea is welcome and to avoid judgment. All ideas should be collected and captured through notes or virtual transcription software.