A Proposal Analysis Tool by Edward de Bono

The proposal is read out and then everyone puts on the following hats in turn: The White Hat is the information hat. This covers facts, figures, information needs and gaps. People can ask for more information or data to help analyze the proposal. The Red Hat represents emotions. This covers intuition, feelings and emotions. People have to say how this proposal makes them feel emotionally: scared, threatened, excited, energized, etc. It is important to get the feelings expressed, as they can be hidden reasons why people would oppose or support a proposal. The Yellow Hat is the hat of optimism. This is the logical positive: why something will work and why it will offer benefits. Everyone in turn has to say what is good about the proposal. Even if you think the idea stinks you have to find some good points and redeeming qualities about it. The Black Hat is the pessimism hat. This is the hat of judgment and caution. Everyone has to find fault with the idea. Even if it was your idea and you are very proud of it you have to point out some drawbacks and disadvantages. The Green Hat is the hat of growth and possibilities. This is the hat ofcreativity, alternatives, proposals, what is interesting, provocations and changes. Everyone has to suggest ways in which the idea could be adapted or improved to make it work better. The Blue Hat is the process hat. This is the overview or process control hat. It looks not at the subject itself but at the 'thinking' about the subject. It is used to check if the process is working well. When you wear it, you discuss whether you are using the method in the most effective way.

Six Thinking Hats: Flow

One possible flow for participants to use in an exercise during the ITP workshop.

Six Thinking Hats: Descriptions

Welcome!

A blog that includes a "parking spot" for items of interest to the project.

"Innovativeness refers to a corporate environment that promotes and supports novel ideas, experimentation and creative processes that may lead to new products, techniques or technologies."