GROUP ACTIVITY 2

(GROUP 2)
BRAINSTORMING AND 6 HATS

COURSE CODE

BBP 20502

COURSE NAME

CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

FACULTY

TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

GROUPS NAME

NOR AMIRAH BINTI AZIZAN

NOOR SYUHADA BINTI AWANG
RAIHANA AQILA BINTI RAMLAN
SURAYA BINTI MD YUSSOF
NURHIDAYAH BINTI MOHD ZAKI
FARA CAYA BINTI YAHYA
SYAZANA BINTI SHAARI
LAILATUL AQMAR SURIYANI BINTI ARBAIN
MUHAMMAD BIN AWANG
MOHAMAD ISFARIZ BIN JURIDI
ANIS ARINA BINTI ISMAIL @ AWANG SOH
BAISA BINTI MOHAMMAD SALIM
AISYAWATI BINTI ISA
MAHIRAH MUSLIHAH BINTI MD SAKILI
EDVIN CHIN KIAN TIN

SECTION

LECTURERS NAME

EN. GHAZALLY BIN SPAHAT

CB130092
CB130091
CB130077
CB130053
AB130017
CB130102
AB130003
AB130009
AB130002
AB130005
DB130278
DB130291
DB130016
DB130148
DB130031

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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1

TITLE

PAGE

INTRODUCTION
HISTORY
INVENTOR
RULES OR REQUIREMENTS
PROCESS AND DETAIL IMPLEMENTATION
EXAMPLE OF CASE STUDY
PROS AND CONS
CONCLUSION

BRAINSTORMING

3
3
4
5
6-7
7
7

6 HATS

INTRODUCTION
HISTORY
INVENTOR
RULES OR REQUIREMENTS
PROCESS AND DETAIL IMPLEMENTATION
EXAMPLE OF CASE STUDY
THE SIX THINKING HATS TOOL KIT
PROS AND CONS
CONCLUSION

8
8
8
9-10
10
11-12
13
14
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BRAINSTORMING

INTRODUCTION
Brainstorming is a technique that can be use by individuals or groups of people to facilitate
thinking processes or generating new ideas and increase creativity 1. Some of the common
reasons to introduce brainstorming techniques are to build team rapport by fostering team
buy in as everyone is involved in the discussion, build upon each others ideas only after all
suggestions have been recorded and, hopefully generate unique and new, workable
suggestions by building upon the initial ones, provide an opportunity for anyone to submit
proposals that are more creative and open and able to eliminate the feeling of shame that
there is in a person to be more open and accepting all the recommendations given by any
person.
HISTORY
In 1941, Alex Osborn, an advertising executive, found that conventional business meetings
were inhibiting the creation of new ideas and proposed some rules designed to help
stimulate them2. He was looking for rules which would give people the freedom of mind and
action to spark off and reveal new ideas. To think up was originally the term he used to
describe the process he developed, and that in turn came to be known as brainstorming.
He described brainstorming as a conference technique by which a group attempts to find a
solution for a specific problem by amassing all the ideas spontaneously by its members.
INVENTOR
Alexander Faickney Osborn is a father of brainstorming. He was born on 24 May 1888 in New
York, USA and he died on 5 May 1966 in New York, USA 3. Osborns employment career began
with jobs in newspaper reporting with both the Buffalo Times and Buffalo Express, the
assistant secretary for the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce, sales manager of the Hard

1 http://www.brainstorming.co.uk/tutorials/introbrainstormingsummary.html
2 http://russellawheeler.com/resources/learning_zone/alex_f_osborn/
3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Faickney_Osborn

Manufacturing Co. and began his renowned advertising career with the E.P. Remington
agency of Buffalo.
Osborn became increasingly active as an author, and published several books
on creative thinking. In 1942, How To Think Up was published, in which Osborn presented
the technique of Brainstorming, which had been used at BBDO. Eventually, Osborn's writing
career overtook his work in advertising, and in 1960, after more than forty years, he
resigned from BBDOs board of directors.
RULES OR REQUIREMENTS
1. Postpone and withhold your judgment of ideas
Its mean do not pass judgment on ideas until the completion of the
brainstorming session. Besides that, ideas should be put forward both as
solutions and also as a basis to spark off solutions. Even seemingly foolish
ideas can spark off better ones.
2. Encourage wild and exaggerated ideas
It's much easier to tame a wild idea than it is to think of an immediately valid
one in the first place. The 'wilder' the idea the better. Shout out bizarre and
unworkable ideas to see what they spark off. No idea is too ridiculous. State
any outlandish ideas. Exaggerate ideas to the extreme.
3. Quantity counts at this stage, not quality
All activities should be geared towards extracting as many ideas as possible in
a given period. The more creative ideas a person or a group has to choose
from, the better. If the number of ideas at the end of the session is very large,
there is a greater chance of finding a really good idea.
4. Build on the ideas put forward by others
Build and expand on the ideas of others. Then, try and add extra thoughts to
each idea. Use other people's ideas as inspiration for your own. Creative
people are also good listeners. Combine several of the suggested ideas to
explore new possibilities.
5. Every person and every idea have equal worth
Every person has a valid viewpoint and a unique perspective on the situation
and solution. Each idea presented belongs to the group, not to the person who
said it. It is the group's responsibility and an indication of its ability to
brainstorm if all participants feel able to contribute freely and confidently.

PROCESS AND DETAIL IMPLEMENTATION

The process and detail implementation of brainstorming are clearly define the topic to be
brainstormed4. The topic is the main point where to know what the story about. The topic
also important to be precise. The better the question, the better the result. The other things,
the topic are very important because it is the title to a story.
The second process are aim to generate as many ideas as possible in 20-30 minutes. After
read some story or some news or get a topic, try to find few ideas as can or share the ideas
to others members. From that, we can get the best ideas or can add more information to our
knowledge. Besides that, if the process is still lively, let it process continue a bit longer. Be
careful not to end prematurely. A short lull very often leads to a new wave of ideas.
Next, dont change, criticize or evaluate any idea. Commenting ideas is the quickest
way to derail or even shut down a dynamic brainstorming session. But, if people dont
understand what is meant by an idea we must get the clarification.
Beside that, encourage each member to present as many ideas as possible. For the
example, if one or two or other than that are dominating the discussion, it is perfectly
acceptable to ask others by name if they have any thoughts or ideas. Taking some initiative
to bring everyone into the discussion is part of the facilitators role.
Lastly, keep going all ideas have been presented. Brainstorming not will be stop until
get all ideas from the others member. It is because, in group or in classroom we can get
many ideas and some ideas can be use or usually it meaningful to the topic discussed.
Before the meeting or discussion end, must evaluate the result that have a long list
of ideas. So, to make the result need to separate the jewels from the junk and create a
manageable list of feasible ideas that are worthy of further investigation.

4 http://www.wsa-intl.com/251-5-steps-to-effective-brainstorming/

Sometimes it is obvious how to prioritize the ideas and this step can be done on the
fly. In other cases, the complexity and scope of the issue is such that additional tools may be
required to complete this phase. Two tools that are often use are The Nominal Group
Technique and the Prioritization Matrix

EXAMPLE OF CASE STUDY IN USING BRAINSTORMING

Problem issue
The Ghost Town Project, Intuitive Pictures
The Ghost Town Project (GTP) is a multi-platform initiative where online engagement has real
world implications and influence. The project brings online communities, locals and experts
together to rebuild and restore landmark buildings in different locations. Ghost Town Project
uncovers the intimate story of how and why a site was abandoned, and also looks to the
future with the help of a restoration team of historians, architects and conservationists.
From the fall 2012 until spring 2013, Intuitive Pictures The Ghost Town Project was one of
seven projects to participate in the CFC Media Labs digital entertainment accelerator,
ideaBOOST. The program employs the best practices from techs lean startup movement and
other disciplines. The programs goal is to help companies navigate the entertainment and
technology startup market, sharpen their product vision, and refine their strategies to target
audiences and generate sustainable revenues. As part of this program, the teams were
exposed to a number of participatory design techniques. Each team made use of several
techniques in order to further the development of their projects.
Method: The Brainstorming technique was used to inform the learning and discovery phase
of the Ghost Town Project. A component of a larger 3-hour Focus Group, the brainstorming
session called on participants to generate a list of potential sites for revitalization.
Participants: Participants in the Brainstorming session were members of the general public
who had expressed an interest in the restoration of old or abandoned sites.
Supportive methods: In addition to Brainstorming, the Ghost Town Project team made us
of two other methods during their 3-hour Focus Group: Survey and Make Tools.

Goals: The GTP team was early in the development of its concept and needed to get
feedback from the public on the core concept and proposed direction. As Brainstorming is a
group problem solving/creativity technique, it was ideal for generating multiple options for
possible future sites for restoration.
Process summary: Participants in the Brainstorming session were informed that the focus
of this exercise was to explore possible sites for future restoration projects. Armed with the
basic rules for effective brainstorming, the group of participants proposed potential sites for
exploration.
Results: A broad list of potential sites was generated by the group and complemented a
short list previously identified by the GTP team. The process of discussing the merits of
these sites enabled the group to identify a short list of locations with strong potential and to
draft the criteria for choosing future sites for the Ghost Town Project to profile.
Outcomes: Participants also chose the previously identified Heidelberg Inn at the Keansburg
Amusement Park in New Jersey, USA as the restoration site to launch The Ghost Town
Project. ideaBOOST is the CFC Media Labs accelerator that emphasizes Audience
Engagement for entertainment platform development.

PRO AND CONS OF BRAINSTORMING

For the pros of brainstorming are it doesnt have to be perfect, just needs to be done.
Brainstorming also deadline is fast approaching and it deals with the crisis that will be put
out the fire. Furthermore, brainstorming will be stay on top of change and the customer
wants it as soon as possible. Besides, it will be more creative under time pressures and can
beat out the competition. Lastly, brainstorming quick fix is addictive 5.
For the cons of brainstorming are it due to quickness and also the mistakes are made. It
because the brainstorming comes ideas from the others member and sometime that ideas
will be effect for the result. The quality of brainstorming also suffers and the shortcuts dont
allow for creativity and it will change to a creative process. The other cons of brainstorming
is the customers arent well-served and the lastly it reactive response may be knee-jerk.

5 http://bobsutton.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/01/brainstorming-pros-andcons.html

CONCLUSION
As the conclusion, brainstorming are important in group discussion or meeting.
Brainstorming is simple and it also doesnt mean easy. It is a process for generating new
ideas. Besides, it uses a set of specific rules and technique which encourage and spark off
new ideas which would never have happened under normal circumstances. In brainstorming
session have risk that involved in the early stages and the overall benefits are enormous.

6 HATS
INTRODUCTION
Six Thinking Hats is a book by Edward de Bono which describes a tool for group discussion and individual
thinking involving six colored hats6. "Six Thinking Hats" and the associated idea parallel thinking provide a
means for groups to plan thinking processes in a detailed and cohesive way, and in doing so to think
together more effectively. In 2005, the tool found some use in the United Kingdom innovation sector,
where it was offered by some facilitation companies and had been trilled within the United Kingdom's civil
service.

HISTORY
For the first time in history it has become possible to see creativity not as a mystique process but as the
behavior of a self-organising information system formed from neural networks. From the same basis he
have developed the deliberate tools of lateral thinking. The term lateral thinking is now part of the
language and the tools are in use with individuals and organizations around the world. The six hats
method of constructive thinking is rapidly supplanting the traditional argument type which is so lacking in
constructive, creative and design energies.

6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Thinking_Hats

INVENTOR
The Six Thinking Hats method was invented by Dr. Edward de Bono in the early 1980s. Dr.
Edward de Bono is widely regarded as one of the foremost expects in the fields of creativity
and Lateral thinking. Dr. de Bono was the first person to propose that the human brain is a
self organizing system. It was from this understanding that he had for the underlying
principles that he developed his thinking tools and creativity methods that have helped
people and organizations revolutionize their thinking by bypassing the normal thoughtblocks that impede their everyday thinking.

RULES OR REQUIREMENTS
1. Blue hat : Managing the Thinking
Control hat
Organizes the thinking
Sets the focus and agenda
Summarizes and concludes
Ensures that the rules are observed
2. Green

3. Black

hat : New Ideas, Possibilities

Creative thinking
Seeking alternatives and possibilities
Removes faults
Doesnt have to be logical
Generates new concepts

hat : Risks, Difficulties and Problems

The skeptical view
Reasons must be given
Points out thinking that does not fit the facts, experience, regulations,
strategy, values
Points out potential problems

4. White hat : Information

Information we know

5. Yellow

Information we need
How are we going to get that information?
Determines accuracy and relevance
hat : Benefits and Feasibility
The optimistic view
Reasons must be given
Needs more effort than the black hat
Considers both short and long term perspectives
Finds the benefits and values

6. Red hat : Feelings, Intuition, Gut Instinct

Permission to express feelings
No need to justify
Represents feelings right now
Keep it short
A key ingredients in decision making

PROCESS AND DETAIL IMPLEMENTATION

The first thing of process in six hats is agree on the subject focus. Thats mean, we must
need to declare the derails of subject matter before the meeting. It will help participants
subject Matter focus. Besides that, it also helps to prevent loss of focus and help participants
to collect all the data about it.
Next, prepare for the discussion. For the first, participants should have organized
facts and figures. Participant also must prepare to present data and information that from
white hat session in the meeting. In this process must avoid the need for a break-out for
collection of data.
The other thing, gather information. Participant will be gathering information by using
different hats. For the example, white hat must establish the facts, yellow hat is what the
positive of the end objective you are seeking to attain, what is excellence , how would you
know and what would it be like to be there. Next, black hat is what is broken and needs to be
fixed, what do we have to be careful of and what must we avoid.
For the red hat is about the feeling, emotion, hunches and instincts and the green hat
where creative ways of attaining your intended objective are. New ideas, approaches. Lastly,

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blue hat is thinking process. All are expected use blue hat to ensure the session and
successful.

EXAMPLE OF CASE STUDY IN USING 6 HATS

Problem issue
The Technopark management is looking at whether they should construct a new building.
The amount of available vacant office space is coming down and economy is doing well. As
part of their decision making process, they decided to use the Six Thinking Hats during the
meeting.
Solution
On this problem issue, the decision has been made. There are:
White Hats: Analysis of data on the trend of un-rented office space versus the growth in
demand shows that by the time the building is completed there would be severe shortage of
un-rented office space with the increasing demand for office space.
Red Hats: Feel that the design of the new building would be very attractive and modern.
Hence, the potential tenants may like it, though it may not be cost effective. There is a
feeling that some of the companies in the old buildings & companies in incubation center
might be attracted to the new building because of better facilities. Prospects of business
expansion & more employment opportunities may seem attractive to the government &
management and they look forward to the project.
Black Hats: Worry that the government projections may be wrong, and over estimating the
strength of the economy. Since the cost per square feet would be double the current cost, it
may be difficult to rent out and therefore the company must be prepared for this possibility

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Yellow Hats: If economy holds up and government projections are correct, we may even
achieve the 100% occupancy rate of the new building, and the company stands to make a
higher profit. If companies in old building & incubation center also move to the new
building as Red Hats feel, the company may even successfully sell the new building before
the next economic downturn and make a substantial capital gain.
Green Hats: Old building spaces vacated by the companies moving to the new building could
be renovated to look trendier with some creative alterations to the basic design and some
additional facilities. This would again attract companies to these old buildings with more
revenues because of renovation / additional facilities. Special discounted rates in new
building could be offered to the companies in old buildings & incubation center to motivate
them to move to the new building. Considering the increasing fitness awareness, propose to
convert some spaces vacated in the old building into a Health Club, which would bring
additional revenue.
Blue Hats:

Needs to keep the meeting focused on the agenda. At the same time, there

should be a balance between the companys original objectives in proposing the new
building and the possibility of enhancing the plan by considering the new business
opportunities that may be identified. Must ensure that all members are able to contribute to
the discussions meaningfully without letting anyone dominate the meeting.

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The Six Thinking Hats Tool Kit

Blue Hat Thinking- Process

Thinking about thinking
What thinking is needed?
Organizing the thinking
Planning for action

White Hat Thinking- Facts

Information and data
Neutral and objective
What do I know?
What do I need to find out?
How will I get the information I need?

Green Hat Thinking - Creativity

Ideas, alternative, possibilities
Provocation - "PO"
Solutions to black hat problems

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Yellow Hat Thinking- Benefits

Positives, plus points
Logical reasons are given.
Why an idea is useful

Black Hat Thinking - Cautions

Difficulties, weaknesses, dangers
Logical reasons are given.
Spotting the risks

Red Hat Thinking - Feelings

Intuition, hunches, gut instinct
My feelings right now.
Feelings can change.
No reasons are given.

PRO AND CONS OF 6 HATS

PRO
The pro of six hats are allows one to say things without risk. It very strong in
preventing the Spiral of Silence 7. Besides, it creates awareness that there are multiple
perspectives on the issue at hand. It also provides a convenient mechanism for switching
gears, thinking in deliberate different ways and set rules for the game of thinking. Next,
temporarily focus thinking on one aspect and helps individuals expand their thinking
capacity by adopting a perspective that is not necessarily their own. It leads to more
creative thinking through unhampered dialogue that builds on each others contribution.
From six hat also improves communication, since egos are not threatened and people are
never personally attacked. Lastly, improves decision making, because attention is given to
all aspects of a problem or opportunity

7 http://www.12manage.com/methods_bono_six_thinking_hats.html

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CONS
The Six Hats is one approach to teaching thinking, and teachers should be cautious
of excluding others. Besides that, it is very lucrative business. While it can speed up a
marketing campaign, there are also great risks involved. It is not uncommon for black hat
sites to be threatened with legal action, especially if the content is recycled from another
source. To an experienced, six hat (black hat) site may appear unappealing or suspicious.

CONCLUSION
As a conclusion 6 hats touching on how the human mind to be applied in the field of
management and daily problem solving. The hats are categories of thinking behavior and
not of people themselves. The purpose of the hats is to direct thinking, not classify either the
thinking or the thinker. Indeed, by wearing a hat that is different from the one that one
customarily wears, one may change upon a variety of new ideas. Wearing a hat means
deliberately adopting a perspective that is not necessarily ones own. It is important that all
group members are aware of this fact. A group member must dearly identify the color of the
hat he is wearing while making a statement. Wearing a dearly identified hat separates ego
from performance. The Six Hat Method is useful even for individuals thinking by themselves.

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