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Intro to CUP'AT

Become more discerning about the knowledge resources you consume and the developmental activities you're asked to engage in.

CUP'AT is a mnemonic framework for evaluating knowledge resources and developmental activities. It adds an additional time dimension' to Luc Beaudoin's original CUP'A framework. 

What CUP'AT stands for

CUP'AT is an acronym that stands for: 

  • Caliber: The degree of epistemic quality of product and its creators.
  • Utility: The perceived usability or value of the knowledge in the user's context overall.
  • Potency: The perceived power or impact of the the knowledge as applied. 
  • Appeal: The degree of joy or excitement you get from consuming the resource or engaging in the activity.
  • Timeliness: The degree of immediate relevance it has to your situation.

Scoring using CUP'AT

Each characteristic is evaluated on a scale, typically from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). 

Maintain a running list of your resources to pay attention to how your consumption habits change over time.

Evaluate a Resource Upon Discovery

Being inundated with so much news and information, you can benefit from developing a more discerning queue of what to consume in the first place.

To evaluate a resource upon discovering it: 

  1. (Caliber) Take a quick look to consider the source of the resource. Consider what its provenance is (search the internet if needed) and think about what of its origin makes it worth considering. 
  2. (Utility) Think about your goals over time. Do you have a sense that going deeper into this resource will help you fulfill them? 
  3. (Potency) Ask yourself, how much potential does this have to help me level up my impact?
  4. (Appeal) Consider how its surface design speaks to you. 
  5. (Timeliness) Consider how urgently the resource needs to be processed to get the value from it.
  6. If you have a good initial sense across all of the above dimensions, the resource is probably worth adding to your queue. 

Evaluate a Resource After Skimming

To evaluate a resource after skimming it: 

  1. (Caliber) Consider any new insights gained from the initial overview.
  2. (Utility) Determine if the initial review of content aligns with your evolving objectives and whether it offers actionable insights.
  3. (Potency) by considering the potential impact the resource could have if explored further.
  4. (Appeal) Note any elements that captured your interest or enthusiasm during the skim.
  5. (Timeliness) Evaluate whether the resource's relevance has shifted based on your current needs.

Evaluate a Resource After Delving In

To evaluate a resource after delving into it: 

  1. (Caliber) Assess the depth and accuracy of the information presented, considering any new evidence or perspectives gained from a thorough exploration.
  2. (Utility) Evaluate how well the resource is aligning with your long-term goals and how well it actually provides practical applications or solutions.
  3. (Potency) Reflect on the transformative potential of the resource, considering how it has influenced your understanding or actions.
  4. (Appeal) Identify elements that sustained your interest or provided enjoyment throughout the detailed examination.
  5. (Timeliness) Determine the ongoing relevance of the resource in light of any changes in your circumstances or priorities.

Evaluate a Resource After Productizing It

    To evaluate a resource after productizing it: 

    1. (Caliber) Reassess the foundational quality and credibility of the original resource. How have your derivative works benefitted from the pedigree of the original author?

    2. (Utility) Reflect on the original resource's ongoing practical value and applicability, considering how it has informed and shaped the derivative outputs in relation to your specific goals and context.

    3. (Potency) Evaluate the original resource's enduring impact and transformative power, analyzing how it has influenced the development and effectiveness of the derivative resources.

    4. (Appeal) Examine the original resource's elements that continue to engage and captivate your interest, enhancing the overall experience and value of the derivative resources.

    5. (Timeliness) Consider the original resource's sustained relevance and urgency, assessing its alignment with current needs and priorities in light of the derivative resources created.