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© 2016 Dwellworks, LLC
Page 11
Lean & Agile Playbook v.2.01 – modified MAY2016
6 Thinking Hats
Orderly and objective approach to problem solving where the
Facilitator leads the group through sharing thoughts
applicable to what ‘hat’ is presented at that time.
How it works:
1. Facilitator starts with the Blue Hat – summarizes the issue.
Next, Facilitator might suggest the team ‘wears’ the White Hat to collect facts about
the issue.
2. After collecting some pertinent facts, Facilitator suggests ‘putting on’ the Yellow Hat
to examine just the benefits attached to the issue
3. After some Yellow Hat discussion and data capture, Facilitator suggests switching
to the Black Hat to get the opposite perspective.
4. The Facilitator then asks that the team switch to the Green Hat to explore different
ways to address the issue.
5. After the Green Hat, Facilitator might suggest the Red Hat so that people can talk
about how they feel about the issue, allowing for a controlled, emotional point of
view.
6. Facilitator closes with the Blue Hat to summarize or create next steps on the issue.
+ Blue:
The organizing hat –
Facilitator uses this hat as the
first and last step.
+ White:
Neutral, objective,
only concerned with facts and
figures.
+ Yellow:
The positive hat,
covering hope and positive
thinking.
+ Black:
The careful and
cautious hat, points out
weakness in ideas – the devil’s
advocate.
+ Green:
Associated with
fertile growth, creativity, and
new ideas - based on data
collected from previous hats.
+ Red:
The emotional view –
what you feel without
justification.