The Six Thinking Hats technique is a thinking tool that structures group discussion and individual thinking. It provides a framework for groups to think together more effectively by having members temporarily assume different thinking perspectives represented by colored hats. The perspectives include factual information (white hat), emotions (red hat), risks (black hat), benefits (yellow hat), new ideas (green hat), and an overview perspective (blue hat). Structuring discussion this way allows groups to consider issues from different angles and improve decision making.

1. 6de Bono HatsThinking Tool

2. Big Ideasdo not happenin meetings

3. Edward de BonoThe de Bono Hats system is a thinking tool for group discussion and individual thinking. Combined with the idea of parallel thinking which is associated with it, it provides a means for groups to think together more effectively, and a means to plan thinking processes in a detailed and cohesive way.

4. How it works?To use Six Thinking Hats to improve the quality of your decision-making, look at the issue as a group "wearing" each of the Thinking Hats in turn.Each "Thinking Hat" is a different mode of thinking. Start from Blue, End with Blue.

5. Blue hatThe Big Picture 2 minutes.Thinking about thinking. Organization issues.Ex: We'll follow this program of thinkingto start the day - does everyone agree?

6. White hatQuestions 2 minutes.Facts and Available informationEx: Energy efficiency legislation is expectedto impact our ability to run our businessin the next five years

7. Red hatEmotions 30 seconds.Feelings, gut instincts. No justificationEx: I'd like to do that but I feel uncertain about it

8. Black hatCritical Judgement 2 minutes.Risks. Barriers. Negative connotations.Ex: We might not be able to make it cheaply enough

9. Yellow hatPositive 2 minutes.Benefits of an idea or issueEx: That would reduce the environmental impact of our activities

10. Green hatNew Ideas 2 minutes.Provoking thoughtsEx: What if we deliver this for free?

11. ProgramsHaving identified the six states that can be accessed, distinct programs can be created, these are sequences of hats which encompass and structure the thinking process toward a distinct goal

12. ProgramsEx: Initial DiscussionEx: Strategic Planning

13. Six Thinking Hats: Tool usage benefitsMain benefits of Six Thinking Hats method:Allow to say things without risk

14. Awareness about multiple perspectives on the issue at hand

15. Convenient mechanism for 'switching gears'

16. Rules for the game of thinking

17. Focus thinking

18. Lead to more creative thinking

19. Improve communication

20. Improve decision making?Nikita Lukianets, CEO @ LimeJamhttp://limejam.com - brand communication http://lukianets.com – less is morenikita@limejam.comSkype, Twitter, LinkedIn: nikiluk©Nikita Lukianets, LimeJam