Asking Questions and How Might We
When starting a sprint, there will be questions about the specifics of the problem and what can be done to address it. It is important to lay out these “sprint questions” at the beginning to make it clear what worries there are and what could be obstacles to the sprint’s success. Later, though, it is necessary to create new questions that open opportunities and encourage ideation of solutions; these are the How Might We’s.
Questions vs HMWs
The first batch of questions are ones essential to success. They ask what needs to happen to reach the target goal and what problems might cause it to fail. This allows everyone to understand what has to be done and what should be avoided. SPRINT: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days by Jake Knapp with Braden Kowitz and John Zeratsky says, “By starting at the end with these questions, you’ll face your fears. Big questions and unknowns can be discomforting, but you’ll feel relieved to see them all listed in one place. You’ll know where you’re headed and what you’re up against” (Knapp, Jake, et al. 58).
You’ll know where you’re headed and what you’re up against
How Might We questions fill a different need. While collecting information from experts, team members can begin to write How Might We questions - turning factual statements into actionable inquiries. In her article, How Might We Statements: A Powerful Way to Turn Insights into Opportunities, Nikki Anderson-Stanier says, “They are a rewording of the core need, which you have uncovered through user research. HMW statements help teams focus on user needs and problems, rather than just jumping straight to solutions. These statements help inspire user-centered design!” (Anderson-Stanier).
How to HMW
The best How Might We questions address the issue and generate relevant ideas. To do this, there are guidelines that can help create effective HMWs.
How Might We Formula, Interaction Design Foundation
Size
One major aspect is making sure the HMWs are neither too broad nor too narrow. They need to be big enough to allow room for creative answers and small enough to stay focused on what’s important.
Anderson-Stanier says, “The problem with vague and broad HMWs is that they give minimal direction or inspiration. These statements are meant to spark ideas you can later test with users. Without any focus, where should you start? A good HMW statement helps you focus on solving a problem” (Anderson-Stanier).
On the other hand, “With too much focus, we are stuck on one particular solution already. We want several different ideas to test at the end, so focusing too much on one solution will limit creativity and innovation” (Anderson-Stanier).
Focus
HMWs should be focused on solving the core issue and not distracted by parts that are irrelevant, unnecessary, or incorrect.
Maria Rosala’s article Using “How Might We” Questions to Ideate on the Right Problems says, “To avoid solving symptoms of the problems rather than the root problems themselves, ask yourself whether your HMW question focuses on the desired outcome” (Rosala).
Examples of incorrectly and correctly focused HMWs, Maria Rosala
Sources:
Anderson-Stanier, Nikki. “How Might We Statements: A Powerful Way to Turn Insights into Opportunities” dscout, dscout.com/people-nerds/how-might-we-statements.
Knapp, Jake, et al. SPRINT: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days Bantam Press, 2016.
Rosala, Maria. “Using “How Might We” Questions to Ideate on the Right Problems” NielsenNormanGroup, www.nngroup.com/articles/how-might-we-questions/.
