Profiling the users - Used Case for 6 Thinking Hat Technique

We as a human learn from the pattern and being a practical project manager, learning and remembering the pattern is crucial as by recognizing the pattern, we can recall what action has being taken from past time, what decision is being made, what is the pitfalls, how to overcome it, etc. Pattern can be used also to profiling the user so by recognizing the pattern of the user, project manager can profile the user accordingly; so it can be used to communicate ‘frequency’ correctly to minimize the miss-communication throughout the project.

One of the tools, which can be used to profile the user, is 6 Thinking Hat Technique from De Bono. Usually, people use this technique to make decision, as by applying this technique, the decision should cover 360 degree, it means cover at least most, if not all, the aspect of the decision. In this article, we will use the same method however for different purposes, to profile the user using 6 Thinking Hat Technique and here it is.

1.     White Hat; a White Hat people tends to focus data, information, and statistic, Hence if a project manager would like to discuss with a them, it is a must to bring all the on the table in the statistic form, sheet, creating pattern from the information, benchmark, etc.

2.     Red Hat; a Red Hat people tends to focus on the intuition, gut reaction and emotion; Hence if a project manager would like to discuss with them, try to emphasize and bring the emotional on the table such as what will be the customer experience if this features/services will be available in the market, what you feel about this project, etc. Remember this Red Hat people are the opposite of White Hat people.

3.     Black Hat; a Black Hat people tends to become more careful, judgment, critical, logical, cautious and risk assessment; Hence if a project manager would like to discuss with them, try have more concern on caution and careful. Bring on the table the risks, dangers, obstacles, potential problems and downside of the problem/suggestion/ etc.

4.     Yellow Hat; a Yellow Hat people tends to share optimism, positive thinking and constructive; Hence if a project managers would like to discuss with them, treat them as a partner or as a mentor to support and provide optimism and positive atmosphere so s/he can help you to be constructive accordingly. Remember this Yellow Hat people are the opposite of Black Hat people

5.     Green Hat; a Green Hat people tend to have creative thinking, suggestions, ideas, proposal, and alternatives; Hence if project manager would like to discuss with the them; use them as source to find the solution as they are full of idea and sometimes comes up with the out-of-the-box thinking which may useful to solve the problem.

6.     Blue Hat; a Blue Hat people tend to have organization of thinking and control the other hats; hence if project manager would like to discuss with them is better in the form of escalation that includes summaries, overviews and conclusion so the blue hat people can decide accordingly.

Cheers.