Six Thinking Hats
Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats has students look at a problem through six lenses in turn: facts, feelings, risks, benefits, creativity and process.
Also called de Bono's thinking hats.
Advanced◷ 30–60 minFree · no login
Look at one idea six different ways.
How to use it + an example
How to use it
- 1State the decision or idea being discussed.
- 2Work through the hats one at a time, everyone thinking in the same mode.
- 3Use the blue hat to summarise what was learned and decide the next step.
Example
Discussing a proposed bamboo bridge design, the black hat (risks) flags joint strength and the green hat (creativity) suggests triangulated trusses.
When to use it: When developing or judging ideas, or running a structured class discussion about a design decision (MYP Design Criteria B and D).
Ideate: Lots of ideas first. Pick one after.
Your turn ↓
Six Thinking Hats
Look at one problem from six angles — facts, feelings, risks, benefits, new ideas, and the process itself.
Enter to start · Shift+Enter for a new line
Look back. Which hat was hardest to wear, and why?
Try next
- SCAMPER7 thinking strategies to transform existing ideas into new ones.Try it free →
- Lotus DiagramExpand a central idea into 8 themes, then 8 sub-ideas each.Try it free →
- Reverse BrainstormBrainstorm bad ideas first, then flip them into real solutions.Try it free →
For teachers: Ideate stage · 30-60m. Free, no login. One of the 45 design thinking tools on StudioLoom, which also puts them inside lessons so students’ thinking is saved with their project.