Thinking types- Six Hats Thinking - A implementation of Parallel thinking

Six Thinking Hats®, invented by Edward De Bono, is a simple, effective parallel thinking process that helps people be more productive, focused, and mindfully involved. And once learned, the tools can be applied immediately!

You and your team members can learn how to separate thinking into six clear functions and roles. Each thinking role is identified with a colored symbolic "thinking hat." By mentally wearing and switching "hats," you can easily focus or redirect thoughts, the conversation, or the meeting. Once team member wears the one color hat they all will think in one direction as per mentioned by color of Hat below: for ex. if team is wearing white hats, the whole team will talk about only facts known in terms of number, information etc. Following video shows function of each hat in brief:





Please see the  function of other hats in below chart:

	The White Hat calls for information known or needed. "The facts, just the facts."
	The Yellow Hat symbolizes brightness and optimism. Under this hat you explore the positives and probe for value and benefit.
	The Black Hat is judgment - the devil's advocate or why something may not work. Spot the difficulties and dangers; where things might go wrong. Probably the most powerful and useful of the Hats but a problem if overused.
	The Red Hat signifies feelings, hunches and intuition. When using this hat you can express emotions and feelings and share fears, likes, dislikes, loves, and hates.
	The Green Hat focuses on creativity; the possibilities, alternatives, and new ideas. It's an opportunity to express new concepts and new perceptions.
	The Blue Hat is used to manage the thinking process. It's the control mechanism that ensures the Six Thinking Hats® guidelines are observed.

                        

 Six Thinking Hats® Image Reference: The De Bono Group LLC, Webpage
                   

 Using Six Thinking Hats® Team can have following advantages:

• look at problems, decisions, and opportunities systematically
• use Parallel Thinking™ as a group or team to generate more, better ideas and solutions
• make meetings much shorter and more productive
• reduce conflict among team members or meeting participants
• stimulate innovation by generating more and better ideas quickly
• create dynamic, results oriented meetings that make people want to participate
• go beyond the obvious to discover effective alternate solutions
• spot opportunities where others see only problems
• think clearly and objectively
• view problems from new and unusual angles
• make thorough evaluations
• see all sides of a situation
• keep egos and "turf protection" in check
• achieve significant and meaningful results

References:

Six Hats Thinking on Wiki

The De Bono Group LLC, Webpage