| name | role-playing |
| description | Explore problems from multiple perspectives through structured role-playing techniques. Use when user wants to "see different viewpoints", "consider perspectives", "what would X think", "six hats", "stakeholder view", "persona analysis", or needs to understand how different people would approach a problem. |
| allowed-tools | Read |
Role-Playing - Perspective Explorer
Explore problems by deliberately adopting different viewpoints. See what you're missing by thinking as others would think.
Quick Start
- Identify the problem or decision to explore
- Select technique based on what perspectives you need
- Work through each perspective systematically
Technique Selection
| Need | Use | Why |
|---|
| Structured thinking modes | Six Thinking Hats | Separates emotion, facts, creativity, critique |
| Multiple stakeholder views | Stakeholder Roundtable | Surfaces conflicting interests |
| User-centered insights | Persona Analysis | Tests against real user types |
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
Stakeholder Roundtable
Role-play as different stakeholders to surface hidden concerns and conflicts.
Read cookbook/stakeholder-roundtable.md
Persona Analysis
Test ideas against specific user personas to ensure solutions fit real people.
Read cookbook/persona-analysis.md
Core Principles
- Commit to the role - Think AS the perspective, not ABOUT it
- Suspend your own view - Your opinion comes later
- Surface conflicts - Disagreement between perspectives is valuable data
- Document insights - Capture what each perspective reveals
- 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
