The Morphological Matrix is a grid with several different columns. The problem solvers enter a specific attribute or issue about the item or problem at the top of each column. Then for each column, problem solvers generate a list of examples for that attribute. Once there are many different ideas in the columns, the solutions can be combined strategically or randomly. While some combinations naturally are incompatible, problem solvers should not rule out ideas until they reach the analysis phase of the problem-solving process.
Six Thinking Hats
The identified different categories of thought are assigned to a color-coded “hat,” as described below. The hats provide a structured way to think about different aspects of a problem.
- White hat - Facts and Information: This hat includes information collected or identified as missing.
- Red Hat - Feelings and Emotion: This hat includes feelings, including gut reactions to ideas or items identified in another area.
- Black Hat - Critical Judgment: This hat includes details about obstacles to solving the problem or other negative connotations about an item or idea. Since people are naturally critical, it is important to limit black-hat thinking to its appropriate role.
- Yellow Hat - Positive Judgment: This hat is the opposite of the black hat. It includes details about the benefits of an idea or issue or thoughts about favoring an idea. It is still critical thinking and judgment, as opposed to blind optimism.
- Green Hat - Alternatives and Learning: This hat concerns ideas about new possibilities and thinking about implications rather than judgments. Green-hat thinking covers the full spectrum of creativity.
- Blue Hat - The Big Picture: This hat serves as the facilitator of the group thinking process. This hat can be used to set objectives both for the problem solving process and the thinking session itself.
Until next time...
Sheryl Tuchman, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
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