How Might We
Updated 2026-09-11
INTRODUCTION
English translation pending.
CORE DEFINITION
How Might We is the core questioning format of design thinking. It converts a passive complaint such as this is too hard to use into an open opportunity such as how might we make it easy to use. The core proposition is that the phrasing of a question shapes the solution space: how keeps multiple answers thinkable, might lowers the pressure to be perfect, and we activates collective effort. The key qualification is that the rewrite must stay concrete enough to be actionable, since a vague prompt like how might we succeed closes more doors than it opens.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Reframe Complaints: rewrite every stated pain point as an open how might we question before brainstorming. - Ban The But: forbid dismissive replies in meetings so each complaint must become a prompt. - Vote To Focus: generate several prompts and cluster-vote to select the one that starts ideation.
Anchor fast decisions
The format reshapes the problem space through three small words. How opens the question instead of asserting a fixed answer, so multiple solutions remain thinkable. Might signals permission to propose imperfect drafts, which lowers the fear of looking foolish. We moves ownership from a lone problem-holder to the room, so participants contribute instead of critiquing. Because language determines which solutions are expressible, rewriting complaints as opportunities switches a group from defensive protest to generative search.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Min_Basadurverified
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