Six Thinking Hats: Group Discussion Technique for Decision-Making

PMBOK v8 Definition

Six Thinking Hats® is a group discussion and creative conversation technique that involves six different metaphorical hats, each a different color, to represent different ways of thinking. The technique is used within the Lead the Team process to facilitate team discussions, improve decision-making, and encourage diverse perspectives during project meetings.

Why It Matters for the Exam

The PMI exam frequently tests this technique in situational questions about facilitating team discussions, managing group conflicts, or improving decision quality during meetings. Expect questions where a project manager needs to encourage balanced thinking among stakeholders or overcome groupthink—Six Thinking Hats is the correct answer when the scenario describes structured parallel thinking.

Key Points to Remember (for the exam)

• Purpose: Group discussion and creative conversation technique for structured thinking
• Blue Hat: Facilitates the meeting and considers the big picture of the idea or issue discussed
• White Hat: Considers facts and information (objective, data-focused thinking)
• Red Hat: Shows feelings and emotions (intuitive, emotional responses)
• Black Hat: Has a negative point of view (cautious, risk-focused, critical thinking)
• Application Context: Used in Lead the Team process as a tool and technique
• Common Confusion: Not a conflict resolution technique—it is a parallel thinking framework where all participants wear the same hat at the same time

Typical PMI Exam Example

A project manager notices that team meetings consistently focus only on risks and problems, with no creative solutions being generated. The project manager wants to ensure all perspectives are considered before making a critical decision. Which technique should the project manager use? → Six Thinking Hats® to systematically guide the team through different thinking modes (facts, emotions, creativity, risks, benefits, and process control).

PMI Exam Traps

• Trap: Confusing Six Thinking Hats with brainstorming techniques

• Reality: Brainstorming generates ideas freely; Six Thinking Hats provides structured parallel thinking with specific focus areas

• Trap: Thinking each team member wears a different hat simultaneously

• Reality: All participants wear the same color hat at the same time, focusing on one thinking mode together

• Trap: Assuming the Black Hat is only negative/destructive

• Reality: The Black Hat provides valuable risk identification and critical evaluation—it is constructive caution, not mere negativity

• Trap: Confusing the Blue Hat with the project manager role

• Reality: The Blue Hat facilitates the meeting and manages the thinking process; any team member can wear the Blue Hat during the discussion

Important PMI Connections

Quick Review Questions

1. A project team is stuck in a debate about whether to proceed with a high-risk approach. The project manager wants to ensure the team evaluates facts, emotions, risks, and benefits separately. Which technique should be used?

2. During a Six Thinking Hats session, which hat is responsible for facilitating the discussion and maintaining focus on the big picture?

3. If a team member says, "I have a bad feeling about this vendor, but I can't point to specific data," which hat are they currently wearing?

4. True or False: In Six Thinking Hats, each team member is assigned a different hat color and maintains that perspective throughout the meeting.

5. The Six Thinking Hats technique is specifically listed as a tool and technique for which PMBOK v8 process?

PMBOK v8 Reference

Section 2 – Project Management Performance Domains, Lead the Team process (Figure 2-44: Lead the Team Inputs, Tools and Techniques, and Outputs)

Six Thinking Hats® is a registered trademark of Edward de Bono Limited / The de Bono Group.