© 2004 The McQuaig Group Inc. & de Bono Institute.
Six Thinking Hats - Summary (secondary)
White Hat
Information available & needed
Yellow Hat
Benefits & values
Blue Hat
Managing the thinking process
What information is available?
What are the benefits? Give reasons why.
Sets the thinking Focus and the agenda.
What information do we need?
What are the good things about this?
Sets the timing.
What information is missing?
What are the values?
Decides on the next step.
How are we going to get the missing information?
How will this help us?
Keeps the discipline when using the hats.
Includes both sides of disputed information.
What is the sense of potential?
Asks for summaries and conclusions.
You may report on someone else’s feelings.
Why can it be done?
Asks for decisions.
Red Hat
Feelings & hunches
Black Hat
Caution, difficulties & problems
Green Hat
Alternatives & creative ideas
Use is limited to 30 seconds.
What could be the possible problems?
We need to make a creative effort.
Signals feelings, emotions & hunches.
What could some of the difficulties be?
What are the alternatives and possibilities?
No justification is required.
What are the points for caution?
How do we overcome our Black Hat difficulties?
Gives validity to feelings and hunches
What are the weaknesses?
Are there any other ways to do this?
An ingredient in decision making.
What are the risks?
Generate as many ideas as possible.
Remember, no solutions required.
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© 2004 The McQuaig Group Inc. & de Bono Institute.
Six Thinking Hats - Summary (primary)
White Hat
Information & facts
Yellow Hat
Good points & pluses
Blue Hat
Organisation of thinking
What information do we have?
What are the good things about this?
What is our Focus?
What information do we need?
What are the strengths and pluses?
What thinking is needed?
How will it help us?
What have we done so far?
Why will it work?
What do we do next?
Red Hat
Feelings & hunches
Black Hat
Minuses & caution
Green Hat
Creativity & ideas
Feelings and hunches.
What are the minuses about this?
What is possible?
How do I feel about this right now?
What are the weaknesses?
What ideas do you have?
What is wrong with this?
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