The Six Thinking Hat

Edward de Bonos Six hats Is a renowned decision making technique and method for group discussions and individual thinking. De Bono is the creator of the thinking hat technique and in 1985 drafted a book called The Six Thinking Hat.

Thinking hat is a metaphor for a certain pattern of thinking. Like some superpower, via wearing different hats mentally, people are capable of viewing a problem from different angles during a meeting or whenever you're trying to solve a problem.

This unique technique is an efficient way to formulate creative ideas and requirements for tackling business needs or dilemmas. It brings diverse views on the same problem or requirement under discussion. A common problem with De Bonos technique is that it doesn’t work so well with a low level of detailed requirements elicitation because this will be very time consuming and might be futile.

The six different thinking hats are identified thus:

1. White Hat

The white hat thinker is the one who analyzes data that is available to them and utilizes it as a major input in their decision-making process. Let's say, when someone comes up with new concepts or solutions, the white hat thinker can find the data which may back the solutions.??

Purpose – to verify and examine the data related to the need, in order to minimise the rate of trial and error.

2. Red Hat?

A red hat thinker always integrates emotion into their thinking process. These kind of people exist in every board or stakeholder meeting. They make decisions primarily with instincts. They also tend to know how others may react emotionally to a decision.

Purpose – In a meeting, considering what everyone’s instincts are telling them can be useful.

3. Black Hat

Black is always associated with the bad stuff however a black hat thinker is someone that analyzes things critically. This one is very skilled at identifying possible risks that may occur. It is always a great idea to have a black hat thinker involved in your meeting as they are more like the "What If" individuals who tell you about the possible errors.?

Purpose – What if the market crashes when we launch our product? What if a client doesn't like the changes? They help you create a Plan B, C & ...

4. Yellow Hat

The yellow hat thinker is someone that sees the advantages of a decision. They also help to keep the team motivated during difficult times. They are the optimist.

Purpose – to identify opportunities and seek harmony.

5. Green Hat

The Green or creative person is great at formulating new and innovative ideas. Every team needs a creative person. This one is needed in a situation when creative solutions to a problem need to be delivered.?

Purpose– to bring creative life to the project.

6. Blue Hat?

A blue hat thinker is a leader. This person typically makes a real project manager because they keep the team on track. Blue hat thinkers acknowledges the fact they don't know it know all hence they share responsibilities and decide which type of thinking hats are needed at a specific time and directs each team member to wear a certain hat.??

Purpose – they lead.

In business analysis and project management, understanding and implementing the renowned concept of six thinking hats has led to more productive meetings, unified project teams, and an overall clever approach to making decisions.

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