Six Thinking Hats - Free Template

An overview of each of the six thinking hats with its purpose and key questions - so the group knows exactly what job each hat is doing before they put it on.

A session planning guide for facilitators - setting the agenda with the Blue Hat, choosing a hat sequence that fits the problem, and keeping the session moving with time limits.

And a recording template to capture the thinking from each perspective, so the session ends with the group's full picture - facts, feelings, risks, benefits, ideas - written down, not just whoever spoke last. It's a PDF, so you can print it for the meeting room or work through it on screen.

Start with the Blue Hat to set the agenda and choose the sequence, then work through the hats in whatever order fits the problem - and keep everyone in the same hat at the same time. The method is parallel thinking, not assigned roles: the moment the sceptic "owns" the Black Hat, you're back to an ordinary argument. Keep each hat to a time limit to maintain energy.

Don't skip the Red Hat - gut feelings often surface things the data misses - and don't let it run long: first reactions, no justifications needed. And if the Black Hat surfaces a serious risk, give the Green Hat a turn at designing around it before you decide; that pairing is where the method earns its keep.