methodatlas
Facilitation

Six Thinking Hats

Turns group contributions, selection, and decision-making into a tangible result by defining the core question, choosing the sequence of hats, and deriving decision or next steps.

Core question
Which insights per thinking mode contribute to a more balanced assessment or decision on the guiding question?
MediumWorkshop45-90 min
Open runsheetPlan sessionStart comparison
Purpose

The method helps clarify group input, selection, and decisions concretely. It turns individual contributions into a visible selection. The result is captured as Perspective Notes, Decision Inputs, and Action Items.

How it works

The team follows the steps: define the question, choose the hat sequence, work through perspectives one by one, collect insights, and derive a decision or next steps. Each step is captured visibly. At the end, Perspective Notes, Decision Inputs, and Action Items are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.

Visual orientation

Method sketch for a quick mental model.

Six Thinking Hats · Edward de BonoEine Gruppe denkt nacheinander im gleichen Modus, damit Fakten, Gefühle, Risiken, Nutzen, Ideen und Prozess getrennt sichtbar werden
Six Thinking HatsDas Visual zeigt eine Leitfrage, sechs nacheinander moderierte Denkmodi und eine gemeinsame Entscheidung mit nächsten Schritten.Gemeinsam im selben Denkmodus arbeitenDie Gruppe trennt Fakten, Gefühle, Risiken, Nutzen, Ideen und Prozessführung zeitlich voneinander.LeitfrageWelche Entscheidung oder Ideebetrachten wir?EntscheidungInputs bündeln, nächste SchritteableitenPerspektiven nacheinander bearbeiten1BlauProzess führen2WeißFakten klären3RotGefühle nennen4SchwarzRisiken prüfen5GelbNutzen sehen6GrünIdeen öffnen

Flow

  1. 1Define the question
  2. 2Choose the hat sequence
  3. 3Work through perspectives one by one
  4. 4Collect insights
  5. 5Derive a decision or next steps

The runsheet guides execution with 7 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.

Open runsheet

Ideal for

  • Decision workshops
  • Ideation reviews
  • Low-conflict discussion

Not good for

  • Fast go/no-go decisions
  • Groups without moderation

Deep dive

In detail

Six Thinking Hats follows a clear working logic: define the question, choose the hat sequence, work through perspectives one by one, collect insights, and derive a decision or next steps. This turns the method into a visible thinking process rather than only a conversation. The participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options toward a shared structure. As a result, Perspective Notes, Decision Inputs, and Action Items support decisions, learning, or further planning.

Facilitation

Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 45-90 min with 4-12 people and use the format in a facilitated workshop. The facilitation needs visible structure and preparation; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions help.

Output artifacts
Perspective NotesDecision InputsAction Items
Tags
facilitationperspectivesdecision

Sources

Six Thinking Hats®mindtools.comSix Thinking Hats – De Bono Groupdebonogroup.com
Artifact templates
Six Thinking Hats Working TemplateCompact working template for Six Thinking Hats with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
markdown

six-thinking-hats-working-template.md

Compact working template for Six Thinking Hats with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.

Six Thinking Hats Working Template

Goal

Structures discussion across six thinking modes: facts, feelings, criticism, optimism, creativity, and process.

Context

When and for what do we use this method?

Input

Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?

Execution

Short notes along the runsheet.

Output artifacts

  • Perspective Notes:
  • Decision Inputs:
  • Action Items:

Assumptions and open questions

  • ...

Decision / Next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

When to choose differently

Short decision aid for existing alternatives.

Decision Matrix

Statt Six Thinking Hats, wenn ihr Optionen über explizite Kriterien, Gewichtung und Begründung nachvollziehbar vergleichen wollt.

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