Thinking Hats Full Picture

Thinking Hats Full Picture

The aim is to create a multi-perspective definition of the challenge.

1. Students are organised into 6 groups. To start with, the teacher gives each group one Hat.  During the activity, the students will use each of the 6 Hats.
2. Each group goes through the 6 stages below, taking notes on Post-its:
   • Stage 1 - White Hat: Gather information, facts and data for the challenge and analyse it.
   • Stage 2 - Red Hat:  Use your emotions and think about problems that might arise.  Think about how the clients feel. 
   • Stage 3 - Yellow Hat:  Think positively.  Focus on the positive aspects and possibilities of the solutions.
   • Stage 4 - Black Hat: Think about possible faults and weaknesses of the solutions.
   • Stage 5 - Green Hat:  Create innovative solutions to the challenge.
   • Stage 6 - Blue Hat: Create a step-by-step plan to show how processes should be organised, identify any problems and refer back to Green or Black Hat thinking if required.
3. Groups post their notes on the whiteboard under the 6 Hats headings and identify any trends.
4. Groups review all the post-its and discuss how they could define the challenge.
    

Additional help on using the Six Hats can be found at: http://www.ideasforideas.com/
The activity could be done using online tools such as Padlet, virtual whiteboard and breakout rooms in Teams/Zoom.

Inspired by: De Bono, E. (1985)
Six Thinking Hats Little Brown: Boston