About the Six Thinking Hats Template

The Six Thinking Hats method, developed by Edward de Bono, revolutionized structured thinking and decision-making processes. This template translates de Bono's parallel thinking method into a visual framework that teams can use to approach problems from different perspectives systematically.

What is the Six Thinking Hats Method?

The Six Thinking Hats is a thinking framework that separates thinking into six distinct modes, each represented by a colored hat. Each hat represents a different approach to thinking:

• White Hat: Objective facts and figures
• Red Hat: Emotional and intuitive responses
• Black Hat: Critical judgment and potential risks
• Yellow Hat: Positive aspects and benefits
• Green Hat: Creative possibilities and new ideas
• Blue Hat: Process control and next steps

Why It Matters

In today's complex decision-making environment, teams often struggle to separate different aspects of thinking, leading to confused discussions and biased decisions. The Six Thinking Hats template provides a structured approach that prevents these common pitfalls by allowing teams to focus on one thinking mode at a time.

This method is particularly valuable for teams who need to make important decisions while considering multiple perspectives. It ensures that all aspects of a problem - from emotional reactions to logical analysis - are given appropriate attention.

Benefits

• Prevents simultaneous mixed thinking modes that can lead to confusion
• Creates a safe space for expressing emotions and intuition through the Red Hat
• Encourages positive thinking and opportunity-seeking with the Yellow Hat
• Balances critical thinking and risk assessment through the Black Hat
• Promotes creative problem-solving with the dedicated Green Hat section
• Structures the overall process with the Blue Hat's management perspective

How to Use

1. Start with the White Hat to gather all relevant facts and information about your situation or problem
2. Progress through each hat perspective systematically, documenting ideas in the corresponding sections
3. Use the Priority column to rank ideas or actions within each thinking mode for better focus

Use Cases

• Strategic Planning Sessions: Teams can use the template to evaluate new business opportunities comprehensively
• Product Development: Design teams can analyze product features from multiple perspectives
• Problem Resolution: Customer service teams can approach complex customer issues systematically
• Team Decision-Making: Management can ensure balanced evaluation of important decisions

Technical Essentials

• Built-in sections for each thinking hat perspective
• Dedicated Ideas column for capturing thoughts and insights
• Priority ranking system for evaluation
• Clean, visual layout with intuitive color coding
• Space for detailed note-taking within each section

The Six Thinking Hats template transforms abstract thinking methodology into a practical tool for structured decision-making. By providing dedicated spaces for different thinking modes, it helps teams move from scattered brainstorming to focused, productive discussions that lead to better outcomes. Start using this template today to bring clarity and structure to your team's thinking process.