Methods

The following methods are used in many fields, particularly for risk identification.

Method of "Six thinking hats" (Edward de Bono)

This is a method for clearly structured and result-oriented meetings, in which the line
of thought of all the participants is steered in the same direction by putting on hats of
the same color.

Each color of the hat symbolizes a specific type of thinking:

1. White hat- factual view of the subject of discussion

2. Red hat - emotional, let one's emotions run wild
3. Black hat - find negative aspects and risks (pessimist)
4. Yellow hat - discover positive aspects (optimist)
5. Green hat - creative, search for alternatives (usual brainstorming)
6. Blue hat - controlling and organization of the thinking process (the moderator
uses this hat).

Sequence of methods for the identification of risks and opportunities

• Clarification of the problem

• Putting on the white hat to collect facts and figures relevant to the topic
(Flipchart, Post-it on Pin wall)
• Putting on the black hat for e.g. to identify risks
• Putting on the yellow hat for e.g. to identify opportunities, etc.

Advantages: The employees of the group are together: confrontation is avoided since
the hats symbolically disassociate the statement from the person. The group's thought
process and the point of view change with each hat color.

Delphi method

Multi-stage method of questioning, which is undertaken by experts in writing, reduces

prejudice and leads to a consensus. If applied, it can evaluate future events (risks),
trends, technical developments and the like quite accurately. Possible sequence:

• The project manager formulates the objective and hands out the answer/
evaluation form to each of the experts.
• Each expert fills up the form for himself. Questions must be discussed with the
project manager alone, not among experts.
• The project manager analyzes the feedbacks. In case the statements widely
deviate from each other, they are commented upon and are distributed to the
experts once again for independent reworking.
• These steps are to be repeated as long as the results have been interpolated
sufficiently or the project manager accepts them.