“How might we solve this if we had infinite money and no laws?” (Then, pull back the craziest ideas into reality.)
Of course, HMW questions are not a cure-all. Poorly framed questions can be too broad (“How might we solve world hunger?”) or too narrow (“How might we move this button two pixels left?”). The most effective HMW questions are specific enough to be actionable but broad enough to allow creative leaps.
💡 : If you find yourself stuck, try "Questioning the Assumption." For example, if the challenge is to improve a car's GPS, ask: "How might we help people reach their destination without needing a map at all?" hmw questions
“How might we answer customer questions instantly without putting them on hold?”
“How might we reduce costs and improve quality simultaneously?” “How might we solve this if we had
The "How Might We" (HMW) question is a transformative tool in design thinking that bridges the gap between identifying a problem and generating creative solutions. By reframing frustrations into opportunities, HMW questions empower teams to explore diverse possibilities without prematurely committing to a single fix. The Power of the Phrase
to turn complex problems into opportunities for brainstorming. By starting with these three words, teams shift from dwelling on obstacles to imagining possibilities. Nielsen Norman Group The HMW Formula 💡 : If you find yourself stuck, try
How do you know if you’ve written a great HMW? Test it against this checklist:
: Indicates that we are exploring possibilities rather than certainties, encouraging wilder ideas.