the de bono hats system - thinking tool

6 de Bono Hats

Thinking Tool

Big Ideas

do not happen

in meetings

Edward de Bono

The 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.

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.

Blue hat

The Big Picture2 minutes.Thinking about thinking. Organization issues.

Ex: We'll follow this program of thinkingto start the day - does everyone agree?

White hat

Questions2 minutes.Facts and Available information

Ex: Energy efficiency legislation is expectedto impact our ability to run our business in the next five years

Red hat

Emotions30 seconds.Feelings, gut instincts. No justification

Ex: I'd like to do that but I feel uncertain about it

Black hat

Critical Judgement2 minutes.Risks. Barriers. Negative connotations.

Ex: We might not be able to make it cheaply enough

Yellow hat

Positive2 minutes.Benefits of an idea or issue

Ex: That would reduce the environmental impact of our activities

Green hat

New Ideas2 minutes.Provoking thoughts

Ex: What if we deliver this for free?

Programs

Having 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

Programs

Ex: Initial Discussion

Ex: Strategic Planning

Six Thinking Hats: Tool usage benefits

Main benefits of Six Thinking Hats method:

Allow to say things without riskAwareness about multiple perspectives on the issue at handConvenient mechanism for 'switching gears'Rules for the game of thinkingFocus thinkingLead to more creative thinkingImprove communicationImprove decision making

Nikita Lukianets, CEO @ LimeJam

http://limejam.com - brand communication http://lukianets.com – less is more

nikita@limejam.comSkype, Twitter, LinkedIn: nikiluk

©Nikita Lukianets, LimeJam

?