What is it particularly suitable for

HMW questions lead to solution-oriented thinking. They are also useful for breaking down a problem or challenge into smaller, workable pieces.
So, for example, they are good:

1. In workshops, when solutions are to be found together for a challenging task
2. After market research, when you ask yourself what to do with all the knowledge you've gained

Why we love it

HMW questions open your mind. While analyzing a challenge in your head makes you heavier and heavier and at some point you don't even know where to start with the solution because of all the problems, after reformulating the problem into one or more questions you immediately feel more creative, lighter, more positive. The mere formulation of "How can we do it?" opens up possibilities where before there were only barricades.

Procedure

• First, you formulate the overarching goal you want to achieve in a short sentence. For example: "We want to improve the lives of migraine patients.
• Then you take a closer look at the current situation, for example by conducting a target group survey or commissioning market research. In this way, one generates "insight statements", i.e. statements about partial aspects of the problem. Examples: "Migraine patients often hide their illness from their employer, which causes stress" or "Migraine patients are diagnosed very late because their illness is not taken seriously by their doctor".

• These Insight Statements are the raw material for creating HMW questions. Try simply rephrasing them. Examples:

  • "How can we make it easier for patients to talk to their employer about their illness?"
  • "How can we make it so doctors are better informed to detect the disease earlier?"
• Prioritize the HMW questions, e.g., by solvability, urgency, or fit with your strategic goals, and start creative processes for the most important questions.

Insider tips or "this is what we think is important".

1. Good HMW questions are neither too abstract ("How can we make life better for all patients?") nor too detailed ("How can we make it easier for migraine patients to read the bus timetable?"). Try to find the middle and make sure that the questions are solvable.
2. Before brainstorming the solutions to the main questions, it is very helpful to already brainstorm the HMW questions with the group.

Attitude

Every problem is the starting point for a creative solution.

By the way: For a better readability we change the gender form per method.