The concept of 'How might we?' was introduced by Procter & Gamble in 1971 and adopted by IDEO as a problem-solving format.
It reframes problems as opportunities for innovation by focusing on user needs and fostering collaboration.
While 'How might we' is powerful when the problem is well-understood, it may lead to wasted effort if the foundation is shaky.
An alternative approach involves breaking down problems into smaller components in an agile environment.
Transitioning from 'How might we?' to 'Why should we?' helps in understanding the bigger picture and purpose behind solving a problem.
The 'Why should we?' approach forces a reverse engineering perspective by questioning the existing features.
By answering 'Why should we', teams can develop more focused and impactful 'How might we' statements.
This process ensures that solutions not only fix immediate issues but also prevent future problems and cater to broader user needs.
Established problem-solving methodologies emphasize the importance of asking 'Why?' before 'How?', promoting a deeper exploration of possibilities.
Overall, shifting the focus from 'How might we?' to 'Why should we?' enhances the problem-solving process and results in more strategic and impactful solutions.