How Might We
What is "how might we"?
"How might we" is a question format used to frame opportunities and inspire solution generation during discovery work. This technique helps teams explore possibilities by turning challenges into open-ended questions that invite creative thinking and multiple approaches.
For example, instead of stating "Employees don't share knowledge," a team might ask "How might we encourage employees to share their tacit knowledge?" This reframing shifts from problem description to possibility exploration.
The format comes from the design thinking community and is particularly useful when working with customers to identify potential solutions or when reframing problems in a more generative way.
How does "how might we" help generate solutions?
The power of "how might we" lies in how you frame the question. Different framings of the same underlying need can inspire very different types of solutions.
For instance, asking "How might we encourage employees to share their explicit knowledge?" might inspire solutions like lunch-and-learns, white papers, or blog articles. But asking "How might we encourage employees to share their tacit knowledge?" might instead inspire apprenticeship programs or pairing—solutions focused on experiential learning rather than documentation.
By framing opportunities in multiple ways, teams can explore a broader solution space and avoid fixating on a single approach too early.
When do teams use "how might we" questions?
Teams typically use "how might we" questions at key moments in the discovery process:
When articulating opportunities they're focusing on, the format helps frame customer needs in a way that opens up solution possibilities. A team might say, "We're asking how might we help our subscribers keep mentally sharp, whether they're a commuter who wants to get their brain going at the start of their day or a retired person who wants to stave away things like dementia."
When co-creating with customers or stakeholders, the "how might we" exercise helps groups move from choosing a target opportunity to brainstorming potential solutions together.
When generating solutions from a specific opportunity on an opportunity solution tree, the format keeps teams in exploration mode rather than jumping immediately to the first solution that comes to mind.
Learn more:
- 6 Guiding Principles for Effective Product Discovery
- Engaging Stakeholders with Opportunity Solution Trees: 3 Tactics to Try
Related terms:
- Opportunity
- Solutions
- Opportunity Solution Tree
Last Updated: October 25, 2025