How Might We (HMW)

How Might We (HMW) is a collaborative activity and a core methodology used in Design Sprints. This method helps teams capture opportunities during inspiration sessions or the Understand phase. It reframes challenges and pain points into positive, actionable questions, creating a dynamic framework for collaboratively and creatively addressing problems.

Preparation

1. Define the purpose:
   • Reframe pain points as design opportunities.
   • Encourage expansive and collaborative thinking.
   • Avoid jumping to solutions before fully exploring the problem.
2. Prepare materials:
   • Sticky notes or cards (preferably in bright colors).
   • Thick markers (e.g., Sharpies).
   • A spacious and comfortable area to write and organize notes.
3. Set up the space:
   • Provide surfaces to place and organize notes (e.g., whiteboards, tables, or walls).
4. To run the activity virtually:
   • Use collaborative platforms that allow participants to share notes or ideas in real time.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Introduce the activity:
   • Explain the purpose of the HMW method and the structure of the question:
     • How: Invites the team to believe a solution exists.
     • Might: Creates a safe space to explore possibilities.
     • We: Emphasizes teamwork and collective problem-solving.
   • Highlight that the focus is on opportunities, not solutions.
2. Start lightning talks or the Understand phase:
   • During this phase, participants identify pain points and challenges they hear.
   • For each idea or problem, reframe it into an HMW question on a sticky note.
3. Write HMW questions:
   • Use a thick marker and write one question per sticky note.
   • Don’t aim for perfection—prioritize quantity over quality.
   • Examples of HMW questions:
     • “How might we make the process more intuitive?”
     • “How might we motivate users to engage more?”
     • “How might we simplify the customer experience?”
4. Organize and discuss:
   • Once all questions are gathered, cluster them by themes or related topics.
   • Select the most relevant questions to explore in the next stage of the Design Sprint.