Creative problem solving with six thinking hats
- 1. CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING WITH SIX THINKING HATS Nihad np Madani Anand
- 2. Six Thinking Hats • Six thinking hats was created by EDWARD DE BONO, and published in his 1985 book of the same name. • It help you to look at problems from different perspectives, but one at a time, to avoid confusion from too many angles crowding your thinking. • It's also a powerful decision-checking technique in group situations, as everyone explores the situation from each perspective at the same time. • It forces you to move outside your habitual thinking style, and to look at things from a number of different perspectives.
- 3. Edward de Bono • He born 19 may 1933 • He is a maltese physician, psychologist, philosopher, author, inventor and consultant. • Educated at st. Edward's college, malta he then gained a medical degree from the university of malta. Following this, he proceeded as a rhodes scholar to christ church, oxford, where he gained an MA in psychology and physiology. • De Bono has held faculty appointments at the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, London and Harvard.He is a professor at Malta, Pretoria, Central England and Dublin City University. • De Bono has written 57 books with translations into 34 languages.
- 4. Parallel Thinking • At any moment everyone is looking in the same direction. • Each thinker puts forward his or her thoughts in parallel with the thoughts of others • Guides thought processes in one direction at a time so we can effectively analyze issues, generate new ideas, and make better decisions. • Constructive alternative to arguments
- 5. So the six hats are…? • Six colors of hats for six types of thinking – Each hat identifies a type of thinking – Hats are directions of thinking • Hats help a group use parallel thinking – You can “put on” and “take off” a hat
- 6. Six colors… • White: neutral, objective • Red: emotional, angry • Black: serious, negative • Yellow: sunny, positive • Green: growth, fertility • Blue: cool, sky above
- 7. …and six hats • White: Objective facts & figures • Red: Emotions & feelings • Black: Caution, Difficulties, and Problems • Yellow: Hope, positive & speculative • Green: Creativity, ideas & lateral thinking • Blue: Control & organization of thinking
- 8. Using the hats • Use any hat, as often as needed • Sequence can be preset or evolving • Not necessary to use every hat • Time under each hat: generally, short • Requires discipline from each person – While using it, stay in the idiom • Can be used by individuals and groups
- 9. Blue Hat Managing the Thinking Process: – Control of thinking & the process – Instructions for thinking – The organization of thinking – Control of the other hats – Begin & end session with blue hat – Discipline and focus – Facilitator, session leader’s role
- 10. Open with the blue hat • Why we are here • What we are thinking about • Definition of the situation or problem • What we want to achieve • Where we want to end up • The background to the thinking • A plan for the sequence of hats
- 11. White Hat Information Available & Needed • Neutral, objective information • Facts & figures • Questions: what do we know, what don’t we know?, what do we need to know?, How are we going to get this information? , What is relevant? , What is most important? • Excludes opinions, hunches, judgments • Removes feelings & impressions
- 12. Red Hat Intuition and Feelings • Emotions & feelings • Hunches, intuitions, impressions • Doesn’t have to be logical or consistent • No justifications, reasons or basis • All decisions are emotional in the end • What is your first impression of the scenario? , How do you feel about the scenario? , What are your initial thoughts on how to resolve it?
- 13. Black Hat Caution, Difficulties, and Problems • Cautious and careful • Logical negative – why it won’t work • Critical judgment, pessimistic view • Separates logical negative from emotional • Focus on errors, evidence, conclusions • Logical & truthful, but not necessarily fair
- 14. • What are the challenges ? • What are the weaknesses? • What is wrong with ? • Why will this not work ?
- 15. Yellow Hat Benefits and Feasibility • Positive & speculative • Positive thinking, optimism, opportunity • Benefits • Best-case scenarios • Exploration • What are the benefits/opportunities ? • What are the strengths/positive points? • What is working well with ? • How will it help?
- 16. Green Hat Alternatives and Creative Ideas • New ideas, concepts, perceptions • Deliberate creation of new ideas • Alternatives and more alternatives • New approaches to problems • Creative & lateral thinking • What are some ways to work this out? • What are other ways to solve the problem?
- 17. …and close with the blue hat • What we have achieved • Outcome • Conclusion • Design • Solution • Next steps
- 18. Benefits of Six Thinking Hats • Provides a common language • Experience & intelligence of each person (Diversity of thought) • Helps people work against type, preference • Removal of ego (reduce confrontation) • Focus (one thing at a time) • Create, evaluate & implement action plans
- 19. THANK YOU