How Might We Question

Collaborate to create the right problem statement. The right problem statement allows your team to ideate around the source of the true problem.

Step 1. Reflect on your previous research and observation to determine what should be addressed.

Step 2. Have your team work individually to develop several How Might We question statements during your session and or even before the session.

Step 3. Remind the team that each question should start with "How Might We".... followed by a verb (ex. create), a noun (e.g., design thinking tool), and the type of user.

Step 4. Read the HMW question statements aloud and ask the team if they are inspired to find a solution. If not, determine as a team if the question is too narrow (may anticipate a solution) or too broad (too difficult of a task). Continue to come with HMW Questions until the problem statement is just right. Use your statement to inform your digital story

How Might We Question

Collaborate to create the right problem statement. The right problem statement allows your team to ideate around the source of the true problem.  Work as a team (unlimited) to develop "How Might We question statements" on post-it notes. Read each post-note or HMW question and decide as a team if the question is to broad, to narrow or just right. 

Group Size: Unlimited

Materials Needed: How Might We Question, Pens, Video Camera, Sketches or Photos, Markers and Post-its

Duration: 15-30 mins

How Might We Question

Define the problem with How Might We question statements. The "How" implies more than one way to solve the problem. The "Might" works to create a place where an idea could work. The "We" asks how the team can solve the problem. Use the chart to find the correct problem statement and to inform your digital story.

  • Understand how the problem is experienced in the real world.

    The perfect tool when interviews can not be conducted.

    Develop insights into the problem.

    Provide analysis of the user behavior.

  • Work as a team (unlimited) to develop "How Might We question statements" on post-it notes. Read each post-note or HMW question and decide as a team if the question is too broad, too narrow, or just right.

  • Step 1. Reflect on your previous research and observation to determine what should be addressed.

    Step 2. Have your team work individually to develop several How Might We question statements during your session and or even before the session.

    Step 3. Remind the team that each question should start with "How Might We".... followed by a verb (ex. create), a noun (e.g., design thinking tool), and the type of user.

    Step 4. Read the HMW question statements aloud and ask the team if they are inspired to find a solution. If not, determine as a team if the question is too narrow (may anticipate a solution) or too broad (too difficult of a task). Continue to come with HMW Questions until the problem statement is just right. Use your statement to inform your digital story

  • Problem Statements are also used in pitch decks to define

    Focus on addressing the user's needs as you create an HMW question.

    Use the format HMW ... followed by a (verb)(noun) and the type of user.

    If the HMW question is too narrow, ask "WHY" to broaden the focus.

    If the HMW question is too broad, ask "HOW" to narrow the focus.

    The correct HMW question helps the team think of ideas.

    Get consensus among the group for the right HMW question