Role-Playing - Perspective Explorer

Explore problems by deliberately adopting different viewpoints. See what you're missing by thinking as others would think.

Quick Start

1. Identify the problem or decision to explore
2. Select technique based on what perspectives you need
3. Work through each perspective systematically

Technique Selection

Default: Use Six Thinking Hats for general exploration.

Techniques

Six Thinking Hats

Examine ideas through six distinct thinking modes. Everyone wears the same hat at once.

Read [cookbook/six-hats.md](./cookbook/six-hats.md)

Stakeholder Roundtable

Role-play as different stakeholders to surface hidden concerns and conflicts.

Read [cookbook/stakeholder-roundtable.md](./cookbook/stakeholder-roundtable.md)

Persona Analysis

Test ideas against specific user personas to ensure solutions fit real people.

Read [cookbook/persona-analysis.md](./cookbook/persona-analysis.md)

Core Principles

1. Commit to the role - Think AS the perspective, not ABOUT it
2. Suspend your own view - Your opinion comes later
3. Surface conflicts - Disagreement between perspectives is valuable data
4. Document insights - Capture what each perspective reveals
5. Synthesize at the end - Bring perspectives together after exploring each

When Role-Playing Works Best

• Decisions affecting multiple groups
• Ideas that feel "obviously right" (need challenge)
• Complex problems with no clear answer
• Building empathy for users or stakeholders
• Breaking out of habitual thinking patterns

Warning Signs You Need This

• "We already know what users want"
• "Everyone agrees this is the right approach"
• "We didn't consider that perspective"
• Surprised by stakeholder reactions after launch