What is How Might We?
"How Might We" (HMW) turns a problem into short, open-ended questions that invite many possible solutions, such as "How might we cut the time an analyst spends reconciling sources?" Each word does work. "How" assumes an answer exists, "might" allows ideas that may not pan out, and "we" makes it collaborative. The format began at Procter & Gamble in the 1970s and was popularized by IDEO and the Stanford d.school. It comes from design thinking, not intelligence tradecraft.
When to use it
Use HMW between defining a problem and brainstorming solutions, right after a Problem Statement or Empathy Map. It's useful when a team is about to settle on the first solution it thought of. Writing several HMW questions from different angles widens the range of options before anyone commits to one.
How to use this tool
- Set the problem framing. Write it here, or import it from your Problem Statement.
- Apply reframing lenses to write several questions from different angles: Amp Up the Good, Remove the Bad, Focus on Emotions, Take It to an Extreme, Explore the Opposite, Question an Assumption, Create an Analogy and Focus in on an Element.
- Check the scope of each question. Flag it as too broad, well-scoped or too narrow.
- Split broad questions and merge duplicates, then reorder the set by priority.
- Save a version and export the set to start your brainstorm.
Common pitfalls
- Too broad: "How might we fix intelligence sharing?" gives no direction.
- Too narrow: "How might we add a share button?" builds the answer into the question.
- Writing only one. HMW is about range, so write several questions from different lenses before you pick one.
Related
- Problem Statement supplies the framing your questions grow from.
- Mind Map is a good place to brainstorm answers to your top questions.
- Starbursting generates the questions you need answered before you act.
- Decision Matrix ranks the solutions your brainstorm produces.