Create Your Six Thinking Hats

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The Six Thinking Hats, a concept articulated by Edward de Bono, is a powerful tool for
brainstorming and innovation. By breaking down thoughts into six “parallel” or “lateral”
areas, it allows a spectrum of thought, from gut feeling to data analysis, to be separately
discussed. By using these six types of thinking in a structured way, groups can more
effectively approach problem solving.
First, let's briefly explain the six hats and the role each plays:
 Create Your Six Thinking Hats

Our natural way of speaking often combines multiple hats. For example we may say,
"This idea aligns with our current strategy and could improve our market position, but I'm
not sure the cost is reasonable or that our customers will fall in love with it." That
sentence goes from white hat (aligns with strategy – a fact) to yellow (improve market
position – a benefit) to black (costly – what could go wrong) to red (customers may not
love it – feelings). The six hat approach helps us to analyze these hats into different
statements and consider them separately.

Hat Definition

Manages the thinking process by timekeeping, moderating, and

Blue Hat ensuring the Thinking Hat guidelines are observed.

White Hat Calls for and provides facts and data that are known or needed.

Green Hat Focuses on alternatives, new perceptions, or fresh ideas.

Yellow Hat Finds the value and benefits of ideas and supporting concepts.

Acknowledges feelings like fear, disappointment, enthusiasm, and

Red Hat expresses intuitions or hunches.

Spots problems and tries to make the best argument against an

Black Hat idea.

Examples

 "We will discuss this matter for one hour."

 "Time to Yellow Hat this idea. Everything else aside,
what are the benefits of this plan?"
 "Let’s set aside emotional responses for the moment;
we’ll come to them when it is time to put on the Red
Hat."

 "What does it cost us to manufacture one unit?"

 "Revenue was up 8.5% last quarter."
 "There are estimated to be 75 million people that are
18-34 years of age in the US, as of last year."
 "Instead of manufacturing in China, we could refurbish
a plant in Detroit."
 "This is a difficult position. Let’s brainstorm some
potential solutions to address the Black Hat problems."
 "Are there other options?"

 "Can we curtail heating or air conditioning to save on

energy costs?"
 "Our sales staff already has a lot of experience selling
widgets."
 "Pushing into a new market segment would open up a
lot of room for growth."

 "That suggestion makes me angry."

 "I really love this project! I’m excited to work more on
it!"
 "There is no White Hat data to support it, but my gut
says customers are afraid we'll cut legacy support
down the road."

 "We don’t have the production capacity to expand that

fast."
 "I’m pretty sure that would be illegal."
 "That idea has a lot of Yellow Hat benefits, what
problems can we find with it?"