The document describes the six thinking hats method for structured thinking and discussion. It involves wearing metaphorical hats with different colors to represent types of thinking. The six hats are: blue for control/process, white for objective facts, red for emotions/feelings, black for caution/risks, yellow for optimism/benefits, and green for creativity/new ideas. When wearing a colored hat, people are only allowed to think from that perspective to avoid confusion and encourage different viewpoints. The goal is structured, comprehensive thinking to make better decisions.

1. 6 thinking hats

2. People using the six thinking hats method
wear the same hat at the same time.
Everyone makes a contribution to every hat.
http://debrakidd.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/in-defence-of-the-six-thinking-hats-2/

3. The blue hat
Goals

4. Goal # 1
What idea are we going to think about?
Goal # 2
How long time are we going to invest thinking
together at each thinking hat?
Set goals

5. The yellow hat
Positive thinking

6. What is good about this idea?
What strengths / benefits /
advantages do you see?
http://www.imagebase.net/Concept/Image00030

7. Think positively, optimistically, constructively
Focus on the good things

8. The 3 biggest benefits of the idea:
1.
2.
3.

9. The black hat
Critical thinking

10. What weaknesses / risks / barriers /
problems / disadvantages do you see?

11. http://www.imagebase.net/Concept/Image00033-691024771

12. Seek risks, dangers, problems of the idea
Think about why it will not work.
Look cautiously, defensively, and
critically at the weak points of the idea.
What could possibly go wrong / block things?

13. The 3 biggest problems with the idea:
1.
2.
3.

14. The white hat
Facts

15. Look objectively / neutrally
at facts and numbers?
What information do we have?
What does this information tell us?

16. What other information do we need?

17. The green hat
Creative thinking

18. How can we improve the idea?
What other creative solutions do you see?
http://www.imagebase.net/Concept/imagebase4_38

19. Think creatively and develop new ideas
See possibilities, alternatives, new approaches
Make suggestions
Ask ”what if..?”

20. The red hat
Emotional thinking

21. What does your heart tell
you about this idea?
http://www.imagebase.net/Concept/Untitled-1-copy

22. What do you like about this idea?
What do you hate about this idea?

23. Adapted from
http://hmi.ewi.utwente.nl/verslagen/capita-selecta/CS-Zimmerman-Jurrit.pdf
High energy
Low energy
Alert
Excited
Happy
Nervous
Stressed
Sad
Hopeless
Tired Calm
Relaxed
Satisfied
Angry
Unpleasant
Pleasant

24. In a hierarchically organized culture, a culture
with high power distance, where everyone will
try to agree with the feelings expressed by the
manager, avoid starting with the red hat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd7kwcVVw3w

25. The blue hat
Control thinking

26. Make conclusions.
List results that were achieved.

27. Make decisions and action plans.
The moderator asks every participant
what he/she has chosen to do.

28. How was this thinking process for you?
Please draw a line of your choice
+
-
Start Finish
What, in particular, did you like?



29. Sources of inspiration
http://www.adb.org/documents/information/knowledge-solutions/wearing-six-thinking-hats.pdf
http://www.debonogroup.com/six_thinking_hats.php
De Bono, Edward: Six thinking hats.
http://debrakidd.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/in-defence-of-the-six-thinking-hats-2/
http://www.educationplanner.ca/files/Six%20Thinking%20Hats.pdf
http://www.entrepreneur.com/management/operations/article207490.html
http://www.foodsec.org/DL/course/shortcourseFK/en/pdf/trainerresources/PG_SixThinkingHats.pdf
http://www.managementexchange.com/blog/so-you-want-be-creative-genius
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/strategy/how_we_do_it_three_executives_reflect_on_strategic_decision_making
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/strategy/taking_the_bias_out_of_meetings
http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/strategy/taking_the_bias_out_of_meetings
http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_07.htm
http://psp.sagepub.com/content/early/2012/03/15/0146167212436611.abstract
http://www.thoughtworks.com/insights/blog/using-6-thinking-hats-better-design
http://www.toolshero.com/six-thinking-hats-de-bono/
http://www.usingmindmaps.com/support-files/six-thinking-hats.pdf
http://www.venturecup.dk/media(77,1033)/Creative_Thinking_-_Presentation.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x49-xoqkyM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdC3nkYzj5k