CogniGuide

Six Thinking Hats Mind Map

Explore an example map of Edward de Bono's six colored hats and what each one asks you to think about. Turn your own meeting notes or PDF into a map in seconds.

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CogniGuide at a glance

What you get: Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
Exports: Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
Price: Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
Sign-up: A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
What you can upload: PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.

How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify

Build Your Hats Map From Your Notes

Use the six hats framework on your own material, not just a generic template.

Map from your files

Upload a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file about a decision, and the AI sorts its points under each hat.

Expand each hat

Open any branch to add more ideas, such as facts for the white hat or risks for the black hat.

Quiz yourself

Turn the finished map into a quiz to check that you can name each hat's role and use.

How to Make a Six Hats Map

Three steps to turn a meeting or topic into a structured six hats map.

1
Add your material
Upload notes or a document about the decision, or type the topic.
2
AI builds the map
The map groups ideas under the white, red, black, yellow, green and blue hats.
3
Study, expand, export
Expand branches, edit the text, then export a PNG or PDF to share.

About the Six Thinking Hats Mind Map

The six thinking hats mind map organizes group thinking around six colored hats, each representing one mode of thought. Edward de Bono developed the method so teams can examine a problem one perspective at a time rather than arguing from all sides at once. A map of the method places the hats at the center or top, with the questions and typical contributions of each hat as branches.

White hat: facts, figures and information known
Red hat: feelings, intuition and emotional reactions
Black hat: caution, risks and reasons something may fail
Yellow hat: benefits, optimism and feasibility
Green hat: creativity, alternatives and new ideas
Blue hat: process control, summary and next steps

Use the map as a meeting agenda or a study guide to the method. CogniGuide can build a personalized six hats map from your own notes, so the branches reflect your real decision.

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Six Thinking Hats Questions

Answers about the method and how to map it.

What is the purpose of the six thinking hats method?

It helps groups separate kinds of thinking, such as facts, emotions, risks and creativity, so each perspective gets full attention before the group decides. Switching hats keeps discussion focused and reduces conflict between opposing views.

Do you have to use the hats in a set order?

No, but many facilitators start with the blue hat to set the goal, then move through white, red, black, yellow and green before a final blue hat summary. The order can change to fit the problem.

Can I make a six hats map from my own meeting notes?

Yes. Upload a PDF, Word or PowerPoint file, a text or Markdown file, or an image, and the AI sorts the points under each hat.

Is it free to create a six hats mind map?

There is a free plan with 5 creations a week and no payment needed. Paid plans raise the limits.