EDWARD DE BONO'S MESSAGE
16th March 1998

"Thinking Clubs 9"

Further notes on thinking clubs....

Thinking Clubs (9)

What about the 'output' from the thinking in the thinking clubs?

The formal recording of the output is a matter for decision by the club organiser or the members themselves. There are various possibilities.

SIMPLE OUTPUT:
Time and Date. People present, including visitor(s). Items tackled. Tools used on each item.

MEDIUM OUTPUT:
Same as for the simple output with the addition of the following. Notes by individuals of insights, key points, realisations, new ideas on each item tackled. Such notes do not have to be comprehensive and they do not need to be noted for each item. Occasional notes will do.

In addition, for each item the organiser should encourage comment on the thinking used. The organiser should also seek to get a general feeling (red hat) about how the item went. These general points should be included in the report of the meeting in the log book.

FULL OUTPUT:
There need not be a full output on each item tackled but perhaps one item a session could be tackled in this way. For this item all the thoughts put forward under the different frames should be recorded. This task can be delegated in turn to different members of the group. A tape recording could be used and transcribed later. Members may be required to put down their own notes which are then collated later

On other items summary notes could be put down.

Such reports could be read back at the beginning of the next meeting.

Where there is a task formally assigned by me then the type of out put required will also be specified.

Output is important because it gives a sense of achievement. Output is also important because it can show up a session that might have seemed interesting at the time but was really very general waffle. The trouble is that output is tedious and takes up time. Whenever this seems to be the case then output must be sacrificed for 'liveliness'.

The organiser can hand the output task to individuals by asking them to list the points which seemed important to them.

Edward de Bono
15th March 1998