The proposal should be in good shape by now – time to test for holes by using De Bono’s six thinking hats. This is as much about refining as it is with alignment between your central message, the significance, the innovation and your experimental plan. Will it lead to the game-changing outcomes you promised? Is it really significant, innovative, creative? Does a central theme of innovation and significance stand out, and is that clear from the first page of the research proposal?