Six Thinking Hats Template

Apply De Bono's Six Thinking Hats creativity method in record time. With just one click, you can use our free template to implement the method in an online session – workshop preparation has never been so easy and fast!

About the Six Thinking Hats template

The "Six Thinking Hats" method is a thinking tool developed by Edward de Bono. It aims to simplify and improve thinking by suggesting six different perspectives (represented by colored hats) for considering a problem or situation. Each hat represents a specific way of thinking.

This method is used in various contexts such as meetings, problem solving and decision making to allow for a broader and more effective consideration of different aspects of a topic.

Collaboard offers you a template for the Six Thinking Hats method that you can fill out directly.

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Why is the Six Thinking Cups method important?

This method is used in various contexts such as meetings, problem solving and decision making to allow for a broader and more effective consideration of different aspects of a topic.

  • The method enables individuals and teams to go beyond their usual thought patterns and consider different perspectives.
  • Team members can more easily understand someone's perspective and are better able to respond constructively. This reduces misunderstandings and promotes clearer, more focused discussions.
  • Since each thinking style is symbolized by a colored hat, communication about complex topics is simplified.

How to use the Six Thinking Hats template in Collaboard

  1. Use the pre-made Six Thinking Hats templates and add them to your whiteboard. Define which problem the method should be applied to.
  2. Distribute the roles and each participant chooses or is assigned one of the six hats. In smaller groups, participants can also take on more than one hat, or a moderator can guide them through all the hats.
  3. Each of the six hats has its own box in the template. Each box contains a brief description of what the individual hat represents. Participants create cards with their arguments, using the corresponding hat color.
  4. A sequential discussion of the arguments presented takes place, or the arguments are developed directly during the discussion. The order can vary, but often one begins with the white hat to gather the available facts. The individual hats have the following characteristics:

    White Hat : Gathering and discussing objective facts and information.
    Red Hat : Expressing emotions and feelings without explanation or justification.
    Black Hat : Critical thinking, considering risks and problems.
    Yellow Hat : Optimistic perspective, searching for value and benefit.
    Green Hat : Developing creative ideas and alternatives.
    Blue Hat : Monitoring the process, creating summaries, and planning the next steps.

  5. After all the hats have been worn, a final discussion follows to evaluate the information gathered and to reach a decision or solution.
  6. If you want to send the results to someone, either invite that person to your whiteboard or export the entire board as an image or PDF.

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Six Thinking Hats Template: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Any questions? We are here to help.

You can find the Six Thinking Hats method templates in the Collaboard template library. You can add a template to an existing whiteboard or start a new board with a template.

The Six Thinking Hats method is a tool developed by Edward de Bono to improve thinking and decision-making. It includes six different "hats," with each hat representing a different way of thinking, allowing for multiple perspectives on a problem or situation.

While the method is particularly effective when used in groups, it can also be used by individuals to think through different perspectives of a problem.

The order can vary depending on the context and goal of the discussion. It is common to start with the white hat to gather facts and end with the blue hat to summarize the process and plan next steps.

The duration of each "hat" session can vary. Typically, they last between 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the complexity of the topic and the group size.

Yes, the method is versatile and can be applied in various contexts such as business meetings, educational settings, personal decisions, and creative processes.

Yes, there are various software tools specifically designed to facilitate the application of the Six Thinking Hats method in teams. These tools often offer features such as digital "hats" that can be switched, shared workspaces where ideas can be collected under each hat, and options for documenting and analyzing the discussion. Additionally, an online whiteboard is excellent for implementing the Six Thinking Hats method, as it provides all the tools you need to apply the method as a team during an online workshop.

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