About the Six Thinking Hats

The Six Thinking Hats template is a decision-making and ideation tool developed by Edward de Bono. It provides a structured approach to brainstorming by separating thinking into six distinct perspectives, each represented by a different colored hat with unique focus areas.

The template features a clear visual matrix with color-coded hat icons, descriptions of each thinking mode, and space for capturing ideas and setting priorities.

What is Six Thinking Hats Method?

The Six Thinking Hats method is a parallel thinking process that helps teams:

• White Hat: Focus on available data, facts, and information needs
• Red Hat: Express feelings, hunches, intuition, and emotions
• Black Hat: Identify difficulties, potential problems, and risks
• Yellow Hat: Explore benefits, values, and positive aspects
• Green Hat: Generate creative solutions and new ideas
• Blue Hat: Manage the thinking process and next steps

Why It Matters

Traditional brainstorming can be chaotic and unstructured. This template transforms ideation sessions by:

• Separating emotional reactions from logical analysis
• Preventing simultaneous conflicting thinking modes
• Enabling systematic exploration of ideas
• Creating a shared vocabulary for different perspectives
• Facilitating organized group discussions

Benefits

• Structured approach to problem-solving
• Clear separation of thinking modes
• Visual organization of ideas
• Priority-setting capability
• Comprehensive perspective coverage
• Balanced decision-making framework
• Enhanced group collaboration

How to Use

1. Session Setup
   • Define the problem or topic
   • Review hat descriptions
   • Plan thinking sequence
2. Idea Generation
   • Work through each hat perspective
   • Document ideas in corresponding sections
   • Set priorities for implementation
3. Action Planning
   • Review collected insights
   • Prioritize key findings
   • Develop action steps

Use Cases

• Problem-solving sessions
• Strategic planning meetings
• Product development
• Decision-making workshops
• Team brainstorming
• Project evaluation

Technical Essentials

Core Components:

• Six colored hat sections
• Description column
• Ideas capture space
• Priority ranking column
• Visual hat icons

Key Features:

• Color-coded organization
• Clear role descriptions
• Idea documentation space
• Priority setting capability
• Visual thinking guides
• Structured layout

The Six Thinking Hats Template transforms complex problem-solving into a clear, systematic process. By implementing this template, you'll enhance your team's ability to explore problems from multiple perspectives while maintaining focus and structure. Start organizing your thoughts today with this powerful brainstorming tool.