Learn About the “How Might We” Framework
I heard about this technique when I was studying Design Sprint some years ago. It blew my mind how easily I could reframe problems into opportunities. I was amazed at this new way of reframing a problem as an opportunity.
“Every problem is an opportunity for design. By framing your challenge as a How Might We question, you’ll set yourself up for an innovative solution.” — Design Kit
▪️ First things first
Many times, career success comes down to your problem-solving skills. Are you able to come up with effective and creative solutions to your team’s problems and impediments? Are your suggestions mind-blowing and innovative?
I wasted a lot of time thinking I wasn’t creative enough because I wasn’t a Designer anymore. In my job as a Product Manager, I spend most of my time in meetings, creating decks, spreadsheets, roadmaps, and PRDs. I confess it took me a while to realize that I actually never gave up my creativity. In fact, I feel more creative than ever before in my career.
The question you’re going to ask is directly related to the type of solutions you and your team are going to generate. You should consider spending a huge chunk of time thinking and reframing your questions.
For example, instead of asking “Why isn’t my app successful?,” you can reframe the question as “How might we make our users have more fun using our app?” or even “How might we make our users see more value in our app?”
“If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first fifty-five minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.” — Albert Einstein
▪️ What is How Might We
The How Might We framework is quite often called HMW, another acronym of course. The framework was originally created to define and frame design challenges, but you can use it to address a lot of different challenges you might encounter.
The How Might We framework is basically a way to reframe a problem. You’re not only trying to see the problem from a positive perspective, but also opening your mind and consequently your possibilities to new solutions. This can be an amazing opportunity!
When you reframe your problem with the How Might We framework, you’re actually turning challenges into opportunities. It sounds amazing, right!? Remember it’s a process, and you might not get it right the first time. It’s an important tool for mastering the ability to develop creative solutions to problems. Reframing your problems in this way can unlock a world of possibilities.
▪️ How to use it
1 — Start by looking at the statement. Reframe your statement by adding “How might we” at the beginning.
2 — You should concentrate on finding new opportunities. Try to come up with different HMW questions. Look at your possible questions, and evaluate if you can come up with a variety of solutions.
3- If not, come back to item 2 and create more questions, or broaden the questions. Try to come up with questions you can brainstorm and validate.
4 — The ideal question is not too broad or too narrow. Your questions should give enough room to brainstorm and create crazy and feasible ideas/solutions.
▪️ Think about crazy solutions
Did you notice how the HMW reframing allows you and your team to brainstorm innovative and creative ideas? Do you understand the importance of good HMW questions that will allow your team to come up with crazy, creative solutions?
Make sure your team is empowered to come up with even silly and crazy ideas. Create a safe environment where brainstorming is truly valued. At this point, don’t worry about the feasibility of the ideas, just brainstorm and go crazy.
In some cases, the crazy-impossible ideas can be reframed in a brilliant and innovative way, so don’t constrain your mind or your team. HWM questions are a way to foster brainstorming and other ideation sessions.
▪️ Your design challenge
One of the most important things in Design Thinking is to define your design challenge. This framework helps you to come up with ambiguous questions that are going to help you and your team collaborate to find the best solution.
It opens up to a new world of possibilities that can help your team feel engaged and excited to work towards the right solution. The HMW method allows your team to reframe pain points in a positive way.
▪️ HMW Example
1 — “I can’t find a job that I like.”
2 — “HMW (or How Might I) find something that connects to my values?”
3 — “HMW (or How Might I) get more recognition for what I do?”
4 — “HMW (or How Might I) expand the range of things that I like?”
▪️ What does it mean?
It requires a well-framed goal. It shouldn’t be too narrow or too broad. Too narrow a question doesn’t leave room to brainstorm and is too prescriptive. Too broad a question doesn’t give you the opportunity to explore.
- How: Helps the team members believe the solution is out there, but we don’t have the correct answer yet, so we should explore.
- Might: It gives the uncertainty you and your team need since you’re not promising anything. Your solution may or may not work and it’s totally ok.
- We: A reminder that it’s about teamwork and working collaboratively. There’s no “I” here, only “We.”
▪️ Summary
- HMW basically, provides a way to reframe a problem.
- Can be used in different design challenges (and also be applied to anything, in my opinion).
- Reframes problems in a positive way.
- Opens your mind and your solutions to problems.
- Allows for spending time thinking and reframing your questions.
- Turns challenges into opportunities.
- Fosters creative solutions to problems.
- Facilitates brainstorming.
- Allows for brainstorming crazy and “impossible” ideas.
- Stimulates development of ambiguous questions.
I hope you enjoyed learning more about this amazing framework. Below, you’ll find additional references to learn more about the HMW framework!
Additional Resources
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