How Might We (HMW)

How Might We (HMW)

Description

A 30-min activity to narrow multiple challenges

Reading Time

Reading time: 6 mins

Activity time

30 mins

  • Overview
  • Key tips
  • How to do this activity
  • Step 1: Think of all the different parts of the challenge
  • Step 2: Organize the HMWs into themes
  • Step 3: Voting
  • Additional Resources
👉
A more in depth version of this activity can be found in the Design Sprint recipe

Overview

💡
What is the HMW activity used for? This is a short 30-min activity that guides a group of people to bring multiple challenges and perspectives and quickly align on focus area to move forward. Mindset and core principles Define the challenge clearly before jumping into solutions.

Here's a 1-min video that explains the HMW format:

Key tips

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The specific wording of the HMW format is the key to why it's so useful!
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This activity works for either small topics OR large complex challenges
  • Around 3-7 people is ideal (it can work with more but might be trickier to facilitate)

How to do this activity

⏱️
Allow 30 mins

Step 1: Think of all the different parts of the challenge

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Explain the HMW format to the group
  • Set a timer for 5 mins
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Ask the group members to individually write as many different parts of the challenge as they can think of from their own perspective (using the HMW format)
Some examples of HMW notes from a real session
Some examples of HMW notes from a real session

Step 2: Organize the HMWs into themes

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Watch this candid video of HMW organization from a Design Sprint room at Google!
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All participants place their HMWs on the board
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The facilitator/s begins grouping similar HMWs into theme areas... and all the group members can help move the stickies into the themes
Here's an example of "themes" (use 3-6 "themes" - any more is too complicated)
Here's an example of "themes" (use 3-6 "themes" - any more is too complicated)

Step 3: Voting

  • Set the timer for 5 mins
  • Each person gets 3 votes
  • The top-voted stickies help to show which parts of the challenge are most important to focus on
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Additional Resources

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Recommended reading
  • What is design thinking?
  • Why is it valuable?
  • When should I apply it?
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Additional Resources
  • Including Diverse Perspectives
  • Facilitation 101
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Related workshop activities
  • Ask the Experts & HMWs