Creative Problem Solving with

Six Thinking Hats
How to use Edward de Bono’s
parallel thinking in problem solving

Presented by:-

Shruti Poddar – 24
Atharva School of Business
Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
What is 6 Thinking Hats?
 Technique for effective meetings & problem solving.
 NOT “What is”
 “What can be”
 Experience & Intelligence of EVERYONE is used in
EACH direction.
 Explore the subject! E.g. Court of Law

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Goals of using these Hats
 Define parallel thinking
 Identify each of the six hats
 Learn how to ask a good question
 Apply six hats method to problem solving

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Objective of using these Hats
 Explore project ideas from a variety of
viewpoints.
 Add depth to the planning process.
 Encourage critical thinking.

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
What is parallel thinking?
At any moment
everyone is looking in the same direction.

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
So the six hats are…?
 Six colors of hats for six types of thinking
• Each hat identifies a type of thinking
• Hats are directions of thinking

 Hats help a group use parallel thinking
• You can “put on” and “take off” a hat

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Uses for Six Hats
 Problem solving
 Strategic planning
 Running meetings
 Much more

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Six colors…
 White: neutral, objective
 Red: emotional, angry
 Black: serious, somber
 Yellow: sunny, positive
 Green: growth, fertility
 Blue: cool, sky above

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
… & six hats
 White: objective facts & figures
 Red: emotions & feelings
 Black: cautious & careful
 Yellow: hope, positive & speculative
 Green: creativity, ideas & lateral thinking
 Blue: control & organization of thinking

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
General hat issues
 Direction, not description
• Set out to think in a certain direction
• “Let’s have some black hat thinking…”

 Not categories of people
• Not: “He’s a black hat thinker.”
• Everyone can and should use all the hats

 A constructive form of showing off
• Show off by being a better thinker
• Not destructive right vs. wrong argument

 Use in whole or in part
Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Benefits of Six Thinking Hats
 Provides a common language
 Experience & intelligence of each person (Diversity
of thought)
 Use more of our brains
 Helps people work against type, preference
 Removal of ego (reduce confrontation)
 Save time
 Focus (one thing at a time)
 Create, evaluate & implement action plans

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Using the hats
 Use any hat, as often as needed
 Sequence can be preset or evolving
 Not necessary to use every hat
 Time under each hat: generally, short
 Requires discipline from each person
• While using it, stay in the idiom
 Adds an element of play, play along
 Can be used by individuals and groups

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
The blue hat
 Thinking about thinking
 Instructions for thinking
 The organization of thinking
 Control of the other hats
 Discipline and focus

It is a hat of “ORGANISED” people.
Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
The blue hat role
 Control of thinking & the process
 Begin & end session with blue hat
 Facilitator, session leader’s role
 Instructions to think
 Organization of thought
 Control and Respect of the rules
 Right Questions
 Define the problem
 Define the Targets

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
 Explorative Questions
 Summaries and Conclusions
 Sequence of steps
• open, sequence, close
• Focus: what should we be thinking about
• Asking the right questions
• Defining & clarifying the problem
• Setting the thinking tasks

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Open with the blue hat…
 Why we are here
 what we are thinking about
 definition of the situation or problem
 alternative definitions
 what we want to achieve
 where we want to end up
 the background to the thinking
 a plan for the sequence of hats

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
… & close with the blue hat
 What we have achieved
 Outcome
 Conclusion
 Design
 Solution
 Next steps

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
White Hat Thinking
 Neutral, objective information
 Facts & figures
 Questions: what do we know, what don’t
we know, what do we need to know
 Excludes opinions, hunches, judgments
 Removes feelings & impressions
 Two tiers of facts
• Believed Facts
• Checked Facts

It is a hat of a “Rational ” person.
Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Six hats summary
Blue: control & organization of thinking
White: objective facts & figures
Red: emotions & feelings
Yellow: hope, positive & speculative
Green: creativity, ideas & lateral thinking
Black: cautious & careful

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Paul Reali • CyberSkills, Inc.
Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Creative Problem Solving

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Six hats & problem solving
 A more deliberate process than CPS
 Like CPS, uses creativity (green hat)
 Unlike CPS, provides a mechanism for
evaluating ideas & making decisions

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Hypothetical problem solving using
the hats - 1
 Blue hat
• Organize the process

 Red hat
• Emotional issues & feelings

 White hat
• What do we know, need to know

 Yellow hat
• Proposals & suggestions; what ifs, why nots

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Hypothetical problem solving using
the hats - 2
 Blue hat
• Focus on the areas that need new ideas

 Green hat
• Generate new ideas & concepts

 Blue hat
• Organize ideas & process for evaluation

 White, yellow & green hats
• Constructive thinking

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Hypothetical problem solving using
the hats - 3
 Yellow hat
• Positive assessment of viable alternatives

 Black hat
• Screening for impossible, unusable
• Challenge the alternatives

 Yellow & green hats
• Overcome objections, correct faults, remove
weaknesses, solve problems

 Black hat
• Further scrutiny; point out risks, dangers

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Hypothetical problem solving using
the hats - 4
 Blue hat
• Overview of achievements so far
• Organize choice of route

 Red hat
• Express feelings about the choices

 Yellow & black hats
• Looking for the best alternative

 Blue hat
• Strategy for implementation

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Advantages of adopting Six
thinking Hat method
 Focused Thinking
 Emphasis on parallel thinking
 Symbolic role
 Transformer of personality
 Removes ego
 Saves time
 Empowers organization

Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking
Edward • CyberSkills, Inc.
Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking
Edward de Bono Six Thinking

Six Thinking hats

  • 1.
    Creative Problem Solvingwith Six Thinking Hats How to use Edward de Bono’s parallel thinking in problem solving Presented by:- Shruti Poddar – 24 Atharva School of Business
  • 2.
    Edward • CyberSkills,Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 3.
    What is 6Thinking Hats?  Technique for effective meetings & problem solving.  NOT “What is”  “What can be”  Experience & Intelligence of EVERYONE is used in EACH direction.  Explore the subject! E.g. Court of Law Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 4.
    Goals of usingthese Hats  Define parallel thinking  Identify each of the six hats  Learn how to ask a good question  Apply six hats method to problem solving Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 5.
    Objective of usingthese Hats  Explore project ideas from a variety of viewpoints.  Add depth to the planning process.  Encourage critical thinking. Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 6.
    What is parallelthinking? At any moment everyone is looking in the same direction. Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 7.
    So the sixhats are…?  Six colors of hats for six types of thinking • Each hat identifies a type of thinking • Hats are directions of thinking  Hats help a group use parallel thinking • You can “put on” and “take off” a hat Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 8.
    Uses for SixHats  Problem solving  Strategic planning  Running meetings  Much more Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 9.
    Six colors…  White:neutral, objective  Red: emotional, angry  Black: serious, somber  Yellow: sunny, positive  Green: growth, fertility  Blue: cool, sky above Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 10.
    … & sixhats  White: objective facts & figures  Red: emotions & feelings  Black: cautious & careful  Yellow: hope, positive & speculative  Green: creativity, ideas & lateral thinking  Blue: control & organization of thinking Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 11.
    General hat issues Direction, not description • Set out to think in a certain direction • “Let’s have some black hat thinking…”  Not categories of people • Not: “He’s a black hat thinker.” • Everyone can and should use all the hats  A constructive form of showing off • Show off by being a better thinker • Not destructive right vs. wrong argument  Use in whole or in part Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 12.
    Benefits of SixThinking Hats  Provides a common language  Experience & intelligence of each person (Diversity of thought)  Use more of our brains  Helps people work against type, preference  Removal of ego (reduce confrontation)  Save time  Focus (one thing at a time)  Create, evaluate & implement action plans Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 13.
    Using the hats Use any hat, as often as needed  Sequence can be preset or evolving  Not necessary to use every hat  Time under each hat: generally, short  Requires discipline from each person • While using it, stay in the idiom  Adds an element of play, play along  Can be used by individuals and groups Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 14.
    The blue hat Thinking about thinking  Instructions for thinking  The organization of thinking  Control of the other hats  Discipline and focus It is a hat of “ORGANISED” people. Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 15.
    The blue hatrole  Control of thinking & the process  Begin & end session with blue hat  Facilitator, session leader’s role  Instructions to think  Organization of thought  Control and Respect of the rules  Right Questions  Define the problem  Define the Targets Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 16.
     Explorative Questions Summaries and Conclusions  Sequence of steps • open, sequence, close • Focus: what should we be thinking about • Asking the right questions • Defining & clarifying the problem • Setting the thinking tasks Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 17.
    Open with theblue hat…  Why we are here  what we are thinking about  definition of the situation or problem  alternative definitions  what we want to achieve  where we want to end up  the background to the thinking  a plan for the sequence of hats Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 18.
    … & closewith the blue hat  What we have achieved  Outcome  Conclusion  Design  Solution  Next steps Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 19.
    White Hat Thinking Neutral, objective information  Facts & figures  Questions: what do we know, what don’t we know, what do we need to know  Excludes opinions, hunches, judgments  Removes feelings & impressions  Two tiers of facts • Believed Facts • Checked Facts It is a hat of a “Rational ” person. Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 20.
    Six hats summary Blue:control & organization of thinking White: objective facts & figures Red: emotions & feelings Yellow: hope, positive & speculative Green: creativity, ideas & lateral thinking Black: cautious & careful Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 21.
    Paul Reali •CyberSkills, Inc.
  • 22.
    Edward • CyberSkills,Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 23.
    Creative Problem Solving Edward• CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 24.
    Six hats &problem solving  A more deliberate process than CPS  Like CPS, uses creativity (green hat)  Unlike CPS, provides a mechanism for evaluating ideas & making decisions Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 25.
    Hypothetical problem solvingusing the hats - 1  Blue hat • Organize the process  Red hat • Emotional issues & feelings  White hat • What do we know, need to know  Yellow hat • Proposals & suggestions; what ifs, why nots Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 26.
    Hypothetical problem solvingusing the hats - 2  Blue hat • Focus on the areas that need new ideas  Green hat • Generate new ideas & concepts  Blue hat • Organize ideas & process for evaluation  White, yellow & green hats • Constructive thinking Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 27.
    Hypothetical problem solvingusing the hats - 3  Yellow hat • Positive assessment of viable alternatives  Black hat • Screening for impossible, unusable • Challenge the alternatives  Yellow & green hats • Overcome objections, correct faults, remove weaknesses, solve problems  Black hat • Further scrutiny; point out risks, dangers Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 28.
    Hypothetical problem solvingusing the hats - 4  Blue hat • Overview of achievements so far • Organize choice of route  Red hat • Express feelings about the choices  Yellow & black hats • Looking for the best alternative  Blue hat • Strategy for implementation Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 29.
    Advantages of adoptingSix thinking Hat method  Focused Thinking  Emphasis on parallel thinking  Symbolic role  Transformer of personality  Removes ego  Saves time  Empowers organization Edward • CyberSkills, Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking
  • 30.
    Edward • CyberSkills,Inc. Paul Reali de Bono Six Thinking Edward de Bono Six Thinking