The 360° Decision Making Tool

Remote Six Thinking Hats sessions work best with structured digital tools that guide teams through each mode sequentially. Start by sharing the tool link and explaining that everyone will explore the same perspective simultaneously. Begin with "Just the Facts" to establish shared understanding, then move through risks, benefits, emotions, outside perspective, and implications in order. Each mode should take 5-10 minutes. Record key insights from each mode before moving to the next. Remote sessions benefit from this structure because it prevents the chaos of people talking over each other in video calls.

Lateral thinking requires forcing perspective shifts rather than allowing natural thought patterns. Digital alternatives to traditional Six Thinking Hats workshops include structured brainstorming tools (like this one), random word generators for creative associations, constraint-based thinking prompts, and reverse brainstorming (ask "How could we make this fail?"). The key is externally imposed structure—tools that make you think in ways you wouldn't naturally. Pen-and-paper brainstorming rarely produces lateral thinking because people default to obvious ideas without external forcing functions.

Decision paralysis often stems from mixing concerns simultaneously: fears about risks, hopes for benefits, uncertainty about facts, and emotional resistance all collide into gridlock. Break paralysis by separating these concerns through structured thinking. First, agree on facts only—what do we actually know? Then explore risks in isolation—what could go wrong if we proceed? Then benefits—what could go right? By examining each dimension separately, decisions become clearer because you're no longer trying to hold competing concerns in your head simultaneously. Often, paralysis breaks when you realize the facts support action despite emotional resistance, or vice versa.

No. While comprehensive decisions benefit from all 6 modes, you can use individual modes for specific needs. If your team is overly optimistic, force "What Could Go Wrong" only. If pessimism dominates, use "What Could Work" to balance the discussion. If the conversation is purely analytical, add "How This Feels" to surface emotional concerns. The modes work independently—there's no requirement to complete all six. However, for major decisions (strategy, launches, hiring), covering all modes reveals blind spots you'd otherwise miss.

This tool is inspired by Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats framework but adapted for digital collaboration and modern decision-making contexts. The core principle remains: structured parallel thinking where everyone explores the same perspective simultaneously. The six modes map to de Bono's hats (White/Facts, Black/Risks, Yellow/Benefits, Red/Feelings, Green/Alternatives, Blue/Process), but the prompts and language are updated for product teams, remote work, and contemporary decision contexts. If you're familiar with Six Thinking Hats methodology, you'll recognize the structure immediately.

For most decisions, spend 5-10 minutes per mode. Small decisions might need only 2-3 minutes each. Major strategic decisions might warrant 15-20 minutes per mode. The key is giving each mode enough time to exhaust that perspective—when the team runs out of new insights, move to the next mode. Resist the urge to rush through modes or skip ahead. The value comes from fully exploring each perspective before mixing them. Time-boxing prevents overthinking: set a timer, explore the mode, then move on.

No. This structured brainstorming tool is completely free and requires no signup. Click any thinking mode to start exploring prompts immediately. Use it for strategy sessions, product decisions, crisis response, or any situation where circular debates need structure. No data collection, no friction, no barriers—just guided thinking modes designed to surface what unstructured brainstorming misses.