six thinking hats

From: Philip Hodgson, Ph.D.

User Experience Group / Global Consumer Design

Whirlpool Corporation

(presented with minor modifications to ISE 311 – Ergonomics & Work Measurement)

about thinking

automatic background thinking

conscious problem solving thinking

logical, linear, critical, argument based

We tend to think the same way every time

like water running down a hillside

deepening the channel

ensuring that future thinking follows the same path

the problem with thinking

The main difficulty with thinking is confusion. We try to do too much at once. Emotions, information, logic, hope and creativity all crowd in on us. It is like juggling too many balls.

thinking about thinking

identify the different kinds of thinking

separate the different kinds of thinking

direct the different kinds of thinking

switch between the different kinds of thinking

think about thinking

Thinking is a skill … it can be improved but it needs to be understood, managed and practiced ...

wearing hats

a “thinking cap”

defines a role

gives direction and focus

gives you the “floor”

attracts attention

provides a way to switch gears

we become a “group of thinkers”

now the game has rules

emotion will follow motion.

Our example

Evaluate the layout and food choices of the cafeteria.

Take a customer-centric view.

All aspects of the customer experience are to be explored.

the information seeking hat neutral the facts what information is

available? what is relevant? true facts beliefs (but not guesses) not giving opinions not presenting arguments.

neutralobjectiveinformationcreating the map

neutralobjectiveinformationcreating the map

• Last year there was a 25% increase in the sale of turkey meat • Give me the employment figures for high school dropouts for 6 months after they leave school• I think I am right in saying that the 777 is the quietest plane in the Boeing fleet• I need some white hat details of the volume of traffic trying to leave Atlanta during rush hour.

white

Our example: Give me some ‘white hat’ facts or questions about the customer experience in the cafeteria today.

Our example: Give me some ‘white hat’ facts or questions about the customer experience in the cafeteria today.

emotionfeelingsintuitivesubjective

emotionfeelingsintuitivesubjective how you feel about the

suggestion your gut reactions your intuitions and hunches getting upset, being delighted a legitimate outlet for emotion allows exploration of feelings.

• I feel we are being pressured into agreeing with the new proposal• Give me your red hat view of our current direction • I am very pleased with the way things are going• I do not like the way this meeting is being conducted • I have a strong feeling that the broken window and the torn theatre ticket are vital clues in solving this murder• I am feeling really frustrated right now.

red

Our example: What is your ‘red hat’ view of the way the cafeteria is laid out and run today.

Our example: What is your ‘red hat’ view of the way the cafeteria is laid out and run today.

positive (logical)benefits“can do”

positive (logical)benefits“can do”

positive (based on …) the benefits, the savings, the advantages? constructive improving on ideas proposals speculative “if …” about effectiveness and getting a job done making things happen but not blind optimism

• let’s put our yellow hats on and look at the positive aspect of the new proposal• the good thing about Jim getting the job is that at least he understands the Chinese culture• it is hard to become an actress but if I go to the audition at least I have a chance• I just love this idea I am really excited about getting started • well I am wearing my yellow hat but I cannot find anything positive about this new idea• there is a new opportunity here, but we must move quickly!

yellow

Our example: Put on your ‘yellow hat’ and tell me some of the positive aspects of the cafeteria.

Our example: Put on your ‘yellow hat’ and tell me some of the positive aspects of the cafeteria.

negative (logical)cautiondevil’s advocate

negative (logical)cautiondevil’s advocate

why it might go wrong the errors or pit-falls the risks or dangers involved identifies difficulties and problems logical rationale for not doing something legal limits technology limits critical judgement legitimizes negativity separates the logical from the

emotional NOT negative feelings!

• I don’t think that just lowering prices is going to work• the sales figures I have show that just lowering prices is not going to work• It looks good on paper, but what if the Japanese enter the civil aviation market?• It sounds like a great idea but what you are proposing is not legal in that country• But increasing the wages will drive up the costs so we must consider an alternative.

black

Our example: Give me a ‘black hat’ assessment of some things that aren’t working well about the cafeteria.

Our example: Give me a ‘black hat’ assessment of some things that aren’t working well about the cafeteria.

new ideas and concepts lateral thinkers wear a green hat sudden insights doing things differently not logical provocative triggers (random words … “frog” “cheese”) ideas as stepping stones … to where? explore the absurd (what if planes landed upside

down?) taboos? now start over and explore alternative ideas.

creativeprovocativenew ideas

creativeprovocativenew ideas

• put your green hat on and have a new idea • we are getting bogged down here … everybody put your green hats on and try to come up with something new• I know the idea sounds crazy but I am wearing the green hat right now• under the protection of the green hat I want to suggest that we fire the entire sales force• suppose we put the bread between two hamburgers instead, where might that take us?

green

Our example: Put on your ‘green hat’ and come up with some novel ways of serving food in the cafeteria.

Our example: Put on your ‘green hat’ and come up with some novel ways of serving food in the cafeteria.

thinking about the thinking planning and organising the thinking managing the focus by calling for the use of other hats monitoring and reflecting on the thinking processes drawing conclusions uses blue hat to shift people in or out of the discussion others can also offer blue hat comments.

orchestrationreflectionmonitoringthe “meta-hat”

orchestrationreflectionmonitoringthe “meta-hat”

• my blue hat tells me we ought to be looking for alternatives at this point • we seem to be spending much more time on red hat than I expected, let’s switch to green again• OK let’s have ten minutes of white hat, and then five minutes of yellow• Jane, you've been very quiet. Let’s hear your yellow hat view on this• I want you both to yellow hat each other’s point of view … that should stop you arguing • those were helpful black hat thoughts but we are supposed to be wearing our white hats right now• wearing my blue hat it seems that the conclusions are as follows …• now everyone put on the blue hat and say where you think we ought to be going with this meeting.

blue

Our example: Give me a ‘blue hat’ assessment of how well this way of approaching the problem works for evaluating the cafeteria.

Our example: Give me a ‘blue hat’ assessment of how well this way of approaching the problem works for evaluating the cafeteria.

some of the benefits

thinking is simplified

direction of thinking can be effectively switched

can be used for both group and individual thinking

issues are resolved with more clarity

issues are resolved more quickly

everyone has a chance to contribute

it becomes legitimate to express feelings

opportunity to express all aspects of your thoughts

new ideas are born

meetings are more focused

meetings are shorter

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informative

intuitive

cautious

constructive

creativereflective

the six thinking hats

Your turn …

Your textbook describes several methods of unstructured and structured ‘search’ techniques. In groups of 3 or 4:

• Select 2 of these methods – one structured and one unstructured.

• Think of how the ‘thinking hats’ methodology could be used in conjunction with the technique in the book.

• Focus in on using your ‘hat’ (white, red, yellow, etc.)

• When instructed, exchange hats with another group and approach the question from that perspective.

‘White hat’ thinking ‘Red hat’ thinking ‘Yellow hat’ thinking

‘Black hat’ thinking ‘Green hat’ thinking

‘Blue hat’ thinking