MENTAL MODEL · M0123

How Might We / HMW

BusinessHigh supportPolitical Economy

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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

A questioning format that transforms pain points or challenges into opportunities. "How" implies there is more than one answer, "Might" allows for imperfection, and "We" emphasizes teamwork.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Shift from complaining to creating. When a team is stuck in complaints like "this is impossible" or "it's too hard," forcing a rewrite of the problem using the HMW format instantly opens up the solution search space.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Consistent with HMW in design thinking: "How" acknowledges multiple solutions, "Might" preserves room for trial and error, and "We" emphasizes collaborative co-creation. The format translates negative constraints into an explorable opportunity space, reducing defensiveness and helplessness, and activating divergent thinking.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/1

Practice this model in one real situation:

Select a challenge or pain point worth solving. The team collectively rephrases it using "How might we..." avoiding "but/impossible." Conduct timed brainstorming around each HMW. Cluster and vote to select priority HMWs for prototyping. Post HMWs in the workspace to continuously remind the direction.

Check to track your progress (stored locally)

Learning progress0%

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Source support: Explicit

link
designreview.byu.eduhttps://designreview.byu.edu/collections/how-might-we-craft-better-hmw-statementsZH · Explicit
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