The how might we technique

The how might we (HMW) technique transforms problem statements into opportunity spaces for cross-functional brainstorming. By reframing challenges as questions starting with "how might we...," teams shift from a problem-focused mindset to a solution-oriented approach. This method is particularly effective when teams feel stuck or when problems seem overwhelming.

Before starting, gather your team's identified problems or pain points. These could come from user research, technical debt discussions, or business metrics. Each problem statement should be clear and specific while directly tying to a desired outcome.^[1]

Here's how to reframe problems into HMW questions:

• Problem: "Users abandon our checkout process.”
• HMW: "How might we make checkout feel faster while maintaining security?"

After generating HMW questions, vote as a team on which ones to tackle first. Focus on questions that are neither too broad ("How might we improve the entire app?") nor too narrow ("How might we change the button color?").