This is a good example of how to use six-hat thinking in a group to evaluate or generate more ideas for a product, in this case a bird feeder. This technique allows a group or individual to think about a product or idea from lots of different viewpoints, providing new aspects to consider for development.

There are rules to ensure this works. Each person is assigned a hat and is only allowed to make comments from that viewpoint, everyone must stick to their role and everyone must contribute.The blue-hat person records and coordinates the discussion.

In this example, the blue-hat person summarised the discussion and noted four aspects to be considered in the development. The gut-feeling points made by the emotional (red-hat) person evoke responses from the other hats, making this a good hat with which to start – it generates debate. Each coloured hat is used effectively to raise points regarding the aesthetics, function and materials of the bird feeder.

1

2

3

4

Six-Hat Thinking