Rephrase the problem as a "How might we…?" question
Convert a problem statement into a question that invites solutions without prescribing them.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Convert a problem statement into a question that invites solutions without prescribing them.
- Why it works: "How might we…?" does three things simultaneously: "how" signals solvability, "might" opens multiple possibilities without committing to one, and "we" activates collaborative rather than defensive thinking. The phrasing holds the problem open just long enough for diverse solution paths to emerge before any one path is locked in. This is a core move in IDEO and Stanford d.school design-thinking practice.
- Evidence: Plausible mechanism, limited direct outcome data.
- Avoid: Making the question so broad ("How might we improve the world?") that no actionable next step exists, or so narrow ("How might we add a blue button?") that it hides the real solution space.
Why it works
"How might we…?" does three things simultaneously: "how" signals solvability, "might" opens multiple possibilities without committing to one, and "we" activates collaborative rather than defensive thinking. The phrasing holds the problem open just long enough for diverse solution paths to emerge before any one path is locked in. This is a core move in IDEO and Stanford d.school design-thinking practice.
How to do it
- 1Take your current problem statement ("Our users can’t find the feature").
- 2Prefix it with "How might we…?" and adjust for natural language.
- 3Check that the question is neither too narrow (implies one solution) nor too broad (implies no action).
- 4Generate at least five distinct answers before evaluating any.
What the evidence says
MechanisticThe "How might we?" framing is established design-thinking practice, documented in Stanford d.school and IDEO curricula. Experimental evidence for this specific phrasing over other open questions is limited; the broader literature on question framing and divergent thinking supports the mechanism.
Honest caveat: Practitioner consensus is strong; controlled studies comparing "HMW" to other open framings specifically are sparse.
Common mistake
Making the question so broad ("How might we improve the world?") that no actionable next step exists, or so narrow ("How might we add a blue button?") that it hides the real solution space.
IX Coach reframes your stated goal or obstacle into a "How might we…?" prompt, then guides you through generating options before anchoring on any single path.
Practice this with IX Coach →