6-hats method: Playfully find ideas!

6-hats method: origin

The 6-hats method is one creativity technology to collect ideas and viewpoints. Edward de bono invented the in English as Six Thinking Hats designated method in 1986.

There are many brainstorming techniques and the 6-hats method is one of them. In contrast to brainwriting or classic brainstorming, there are clearly distributed roles in advance.

Edward de Bono bases his method on the assumptions that we think in different ways and our brain can take multiple perspectives. Therefore, communication between people always takes place different roles on each other, who argue with different logic and emotion.



6-hats method: advantages

  • Better communication in a group
  • Differentiated discussions and openness / creativity
  • Discuss complex topics
  • Separation of personal opinion and position

6-hats method: disadvantages

  • Good moderation required
  • Exaggerated, theatrical presentation of the positions
  • At least six participants and ideally a multiple thereof (e.g., 12 or 18)

6-hats method: expiration

At the beginning, the moderator introduces the topic to each participant and then describes the process of the 6-hats-method:



In the discussion each participant plays a role, which is bound to the respective color of a hat. To be carried out so six different colored hats needed. Alternatively, cards or other items can be used. These are assigned to the participants so that everyone can see who represents which position.

What is the color about? Each of the six colors represents the different aspects of thinking. Each hat (color) embodies a role, which is represented by the associated participant in the discussion.

Important: The Participants change roles during the discussionso that, ideally, each participant could represent each color once. It is therefore the Task of the moderator, the single ones To start discussion rounds and finish.



Before being discussed in the group, get every participant some timeto deal with the topic in its role. It makes sense that the participants have their ideas before the discussion put down in writing (Brainwriting), so that in the end no idea is lost.

After each participant has once embodied each role, should Graduation in an open discussion all ideas and suggestions evaluated and a final one Solution or result be worked out.

6-hats method: That's what the 6 thinking hats stand for!

White hat:

  • Approach the project analytically
  • Focus on facts
  • lens
  • Collect and play information (computer)

Red hat:

  • Emotionally
  • Feelings and opinions in view
  • Subjective
  • Involve intuition
  • Belly instead of head

Black hat:

  • Contribute critical aspects
  • Explain skepticism and fears
  • lens

Yellow hat:

  • optimist
  • Ideal case
  • Very speculative on the way

Green hat:

  • Express creativity
  • Fresh ideas
  • Constructive approach

Blue hat:

  • Big things in view
  • moderating
  • Summarize results
  • Usually comes at the end to speak

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