Six Thinking Hats Summary

Overview

This exercise used Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats method to explore my semester project. Each hat represents a different perspective, helping to think more clearly about the project's strengths, weaknesses, possibilities, and feelings.

My Natural Thinking Style

I naturally gravitate towards the Green Hat, which focuses on creativity and generating new ideas. This hat is all about possibilities and alternatives, which reflects how I approach problems.

Green Hat

The Six Thinking Hats Discussion

White Hat (Facts & Information)

We discussed the factual aspects of the project, including the available resources, deadlines, and what we know about the user's needs. Gathering data from previous user surveys was key here.

Red Hat (Feelings & Intuition)

Intuition and emotional responses were shared. The participant mentioned feeling unsure about the app's appeal to certain students, which led to a discussion on how to make the app more engaging.

Black Hat (Caution & Risk)

We identified the risks involved, particularly focusing on technical limitations and potential user frustrations. We discussed how to minimize these issues by simplifying the user interface.

Yellow Hat (Optimism & Benefits)

The conversation focused on the app's benefits, such as helping students overcome procrastination and providing a fun way to stay on top of tasks. The positive impact on productivity was highlighted.

Green Hat (Creativity & Alternatives)

Creative solutions were explored, especially how the app's design could incorporate more playful elements like animations and rewards for completing tasks. We also brainstormed future features for expanding the app.

Blue Hat (Process & Control)

This hat facilitated organization, focusing on the overall process of app development. We talked about timelines, ensuring team accountability, and how we could use regular testing to refine the app over time.

Project Changes Based on Discussion

After using the Six Thinking Hats method to explore my original project, I decided to pivot towards creating an online store instead of an app. This store will focus on providing a platform for unique, handmade items that cater to students and young professionals. The White Hat revealed a growing demand for personalized, one-of-a-kind products, while the Green Hat led to brainstorming ideas for creative ways to showcase these items. The Red Hat discussions highlighted an emotional appeal for users who prefer supporting small creators. The Yellow Hat identified the potential benefits of this store, especially its ability to foster a community of creators and buyers. Overall, this new direction aligns better with my strengths and interests, and offers a fun, interactive shopping experience for users.