Mastering Problem-Solving with the Six Thinking Hats Method
Lessons Learned
A Six Thinking Hats Play
Six Thinking Hats
●
“Six thinking hats is a tool that can help us look at problems from
different perspectives one at a time to avoid confusion from too many
angles crowding your thinking.” Source: Edward de Bono
●
Focus - Everyone explores the situation from each perspective or hat at
the same time. The sequence of hats can change - but everyone must
change direction at the same time
●
Each hat represents a different perspective
●
Provides a common language and process
The Six Thinking Hats: A Review
The White Hat
“Just the Facts”
The Yellow Hat
Optimism: Probe for
Benefits
The Black Hat
Judgement and Caution
The Red Hat
Feelings and Intuition
The Green Hat
Creativity
The Blue Hat
Process
Six Thinking Hats
Depending on your problem, hats can be used in many sequences and not all
hats are necessary.
Examples:
●
Initial ideas - Blue, White, Green, Blue
●
Quick feedback - Blue, Black, Green, Blue
●
Solving problems - Blue, White, Green, Red, Yellow, Black, Green, Blue
●
Identifying solutions - Blue, White, Green, Blue
Lessons Learned Sequence
B
l
u
e
H
a
t
:
P
r
o
c
e
s
s
W
h
i
t
e
H
a
t
:
Facts
Y
e
l
l
o
w
H
a
t
:
B
e
n
e
f
i
t
s
B
l
a
c
k
H
a
t
:
Judgement
B
l
u
e
H
a
t
:
Process
Tools Needed
●
Materials Needed
○
Use Sharpie Markers (Easier to Read)
○
3” x 3” Post-It Notes
○
Easel Pad (large 24”x30” Post-it Notes)
Preparation
●
Prior to meeting, identify an issue or problem to solve with the group
●
For each hat that you are using prepare individual easel pads with a
hat & category name at the top. For example: Red (Emotions), White
(Facts), Yellow (Benefits), Green (Creativity), Black (Judgement)
●
Hang easel pad papers on wall in your order of operation
●
White hat - may take the longest. Send questions to team before
meeting allowing team members to come prepared with needed data
Example to organize Post-it Notes
Directions
For each hat (1 at a time):
1.
Two (2) minutes of individual brainstorming (more ideas
the better)
2.
Team focuses on answering one hat at a time
3.
Write one (1) idea per Post-It note - be specific
4.
For example: “More phone training”, instead of “training”
5.
Use only 6-7 words per Post-It note
Directions
After 2 minutes:
Each team member presents their Post-It Notes - 5 minutes
for entire team
1.
Team member puts Post-it Note on the Easel Paper for
current hat
2.
Group similar ideas together in each hat
3.
Continue in this fashion until you move through all of the
hats
Example to organize Post-it Notes
Process
Blue Hat
●
Manage the process
●
Make sure the hats are followed
●
Why are we here?
Lessons
Learned
●
Why are we talking about it?
Continuous learning to make
improvements
Nothing But
the Facts
White Hat: Just the Facts
Project Review
●
What was your goal?
●
What did you accomplish
●
What information do we still
need?
Answer all the above questions.
What
Worked?
Yellow Hat: Optimism, Probe for
Benefits
●
Explore the positives and probe
for value and benefits
What went well? What were some
good points?
Caution!
Black Hat: Judgement and
Caution
●
Signifies caution.
●
What didn’t go well?
●
What could be changed?
●
What are some obstacles,
downsides, and weaknesses?
What did not go as planned? What
did we learn?
Process
Blue Hat
●
What conclusions or
summaries can we make in
moving forward on the issue or
problem?
What are the next steps (if any)?
"Explore the Six Thinking Hats Method, a powerful tool for problem-solving by examining issues from different perspectives sequentially. Learn how each hat represents a unique viewpoint, facilitating thorough analysis and creative solutions. Discover the process, benefits, and practical tips for implementing this structured approach effectively in group settings."
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Presentation Transcript
Lessons Learned A Six Thinking Hats Play
Six Thinking Hats Six thinking hats is a tool that can help us look at problems from different perspectives one at a time to avoid confusion from too many angles crowding your thinking. Source: Edward de Bono Focus - Everyone explores the situation from each perspective or hat at the same time. The sequence of hats can change - but everyone must change direction at the same time Each hat represents a different perspective Provides a common language and process
The Six Thinking Hats: A Review The White Hat Just the Facts The Red Hat Feelings and Intuition The Yellow Hat Optimism: Probe for Benefits The Green Hat Creativity The Black Hat Judgement and Caution The Blue Hat Process
Six Thinking Hats Depending on your problem, hats can be used in many sequences and not all hats are necessary. Examples: Initial ideas - Blue, White, Green, Blue Quick feedback - Blue, Black, Green, Blue Solving problems - Blue, White, Green, Red, Yellow, Black, Green, Blue Identifying solutions - Blue, White, Green, Blue
Lessons Learned Sequence Black Hat: Judgement Blue Hat: Process Yellow Hat: Benefits Blue Hat: Process White Hat: Facts
Tools Needed Materials Needed Use Sharpie Markers (Easier to Read) 3 x 3 Post-It Notes Easel Pad (large 24 x30 Post-it Notes)
Preparation Prior to meeting, identify an issue or problem to solve with the group For each hat that you are using prepare individual easel pads with a hat & category name at the top. For example: Red (Emotions), White (Facts), Yellow (Benefits), Green (Creativity), Black (Judgement) Hang easel pad papers on wall in your order of operation White hat - may take the longest. Send questions to team before meeting allowing team members to come prepared with needed data
Directions For each hat (1 at a time): 1. Two (2) minutes of individual brainstorming (more ideas the better) 2. Team focuses on answering one hat at a time 3. Write one (1) idea per Post-It note -be specific 4. For example: More phone training , instead of training 5. Use only 6-7 words per Post-It note
Directions After 2 minutes: Each team member presents their Post-It Notes -5 minutes for entire team 1. Team member puts Post-it Note on the Easel Paper for current hat 2. Group similar ideas together in each hat 3. Continue in this fashion until you move through all of the hats
Manage the process Make sure the hats are followed Why are we here? Lessons Learned Why are we talking about it? Continuous learning to make improvements Process Blue Hat
Project Review What was your goal? What did you accomplish What information do we still need? Nothing But the Facts Answer all the above questions. White Hat: Just the Facts
Explore the positives and probe for value and benefits What Worked? What went well? What were some good points? Yellow Hat: Optimism, Probe for Benefits
Signifies caution. What didn t go well? What could be changed? What are some obstacles, downsides, and weaknesses? Caution! What did not go as planned? What did we learn? Black Hat: Judgement and Caution
What conclusions or summaries can we make in moving forward on the issue or problem? Process What are the next steps (if any)? Blue Hat
