6 hat is a group management method but also an individual management method.

This method allows to deal with problems, take decisions, and by avoiding the confusion of ideas or avoiding censorship new and unusual ideas. This method was developed by Edward De Bono, psychologist and specialist in cognitive science.

According to him, when we think, we receive and process a lot of ideas, so it is in confusion. We mix emotions, facts, enthusiasm, logical, critical and creative. The goal is to do one thing at a time to better reflect. As a group, this allows everyone to look in the same direction.

His method enables us out of our habitual patterns. It forces us to adopt different styles of approach and recognize our differences.

48481622_s_clipped_rev_1De Bono suggests dividing research into 6 distinct phases. To imagine his method, the 6 phases are represented by hats of different colors, each of which symbolizes a method of thinking. The method of 6 hats is a method of parallel thinking.

To reinforce this idea, we must put in parallel the fact that it is easier to juggle 6 times with one ball once with 6 balls!

This method can be used in a group, but also when you be alone and you need to make a decision. Take after hats each other.

To deepen, you can read the book of Edward De Bono : “Six thinking hats”

 

The 6 hats

 

The White hat

This is the rational hat. You focus on practical and available data. You don’t interpret. These are facts, figures, information.

Le White hat thinks information. It is the color of neutrality, objectivity.

The Yellow hat

This is the optimistic hat. Think positively. You consider all the benefits of the decision and their value. You are constructive.

The Yellow hat thinks advantage. It is a sunny and positive color.

The Red hat

It is the emotional hat. Considering the problems using intuition, emotions, instinctive reactions. You are at the opposite of the impartial, objective information.

The Red hat thinks feeling. It is the color of anger, rage, emotions.

The Black hat

This is the pessimistic hat. Looking all the negative aspects of the decision. Looking caution, danger. You try to see why it will not work. Looking weaknesses.

The Black hat thinks caution. It is a gloomy and negative color.

The Green hat

It is the creative hat. You strive to find creative solutions, you give free rein to your imagination. You do not criticize the ideas. You try to fetch beyond what is known.

The Green hat thinks alternative. This is the color of grass, vegetation, fertility.

 The Blue hat

This is the controller hat. In a meeting, he’s the person presiding. He controls the process. He calls on the group to change hats. This is the conductor.

The Blue hat thinks coordination. It is the color of heaven which is above all things.

 

Example

On the furniture market, there is a new trend that is marketing custom furniture to order. For this, the company needs to invest in a machining center with numerical control and design software.

Blue hat:

  • New trend of personalized furniture to order.
  • For this, we must invest in a machining center with numerical control and design software.
  • Study the feasibility

White hat:

  • Sales anticipated annual business with these products will 8M Euros.
  • This corresponds to a production volume of 5700 furniture per year, or 26 per day furniture.
  • The price of a machining center is between € 600,000 and € 825,000.
  • Furniture design software, integrated in the machine costs € 48,000

Blue hat:

  • Thank you synthesize all that data

Red hat:

  • I am confident that in the near future, all furniture sold must be customized.
  • I’m sure this method will explode the selling price. This is not what the consumer expects.
  • My beliefs tell me that this new range will boost our sales.
  • I’m afraid of these changes in production method.

Yellow hat:

  • Thanks to these new products, we will expand the range and increase sales.
  • We will take market share and ahead of our competitors.
  • We have a production plant in line with demand. The custom work is unavoidable nowadays.
  • The machining center CNC will bring a lot of flexibility in the production tool.

Blue hat:

  • Thank you to summarize and classify the benefits.
  • Compared to these benefits, what are your feelings?

Red hat:

  • I am convinced that we will succeed with it.
  • I’m afraid of this type of production. this does not correspond to our habits.

Black hat:

  • Custom furniture, it may be a fad that will disappear.
  • Our staff is not trained for this type of production.
  • Can a single machining center is sufficient for the requested volume?
  • Are we sure that the maximum price of a center is 800,000 €? This is probably underestimated.
  • The implementation of the software may be long. Will we be able to put in place in time?

Blue hat:

  • Classify the dangers in a grid probability / criticality.

Green hat:

  • We can bring versatility among operators.
  • With a CNC we can make other products as furniture.
  • If we choose well your machine, we can machined other materials and therefore make different furniture.
  • The design software can serve us to develop new concepts.

Blue hat:

  • List advantages and inconvenients.
  • Make the balance between the two.
  • What is your feeling on this issue?

Red hat:

  • I am convinced that we are on the right track.
  • Too many risks, it scares me.

Blue hat:

  • Depending on the investment calculate price forecast returns.
  • We refer to this point later.

 

Conclusions

The method of 6 hats avoids being dependent on the arguments and criticism. This method allows us to avoid constantly stay in one way of thinking. By nature, people are either pessimistic or optimistic. Hats cause them to expand their frame of mind.

This method applies to groups, applies perfectly to the only person. When you need to make a decision, try wearing different hats in succession.

To better reflect the better it is to do one thing at a time.

Download the executive summary and the tool sheet.

By LEAN