How Might We (HMW)
Explain the purpose of the HMW method and the structure of the question: How: Invites the team to believe a solution exists.
How to run it
- Explain the purpose of the HMW method and the structure of the question:
- How: Invites the team to believe a solution exists.
- Might: Creates a safe space to explore possibilities.
- We: Emphasizes teamwork and collective problem-solving.
- Highlight that the focus is on opportunities, not solutions.
- Start lightning talks or the Understand phase:
- During this phase, participants identify pain points and challenges they hear.
- Prepare materials: Sticky notes or cards (preferably in bright colors).
- A spacious and comfortable area to write and organize notes.
- Set up the space: Provide surfaces to place and organize notes (e.g., whiteboards, tables, or walls).
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Prompts to use +
Explain the purpose of the HMW method and the structure of the question:
Start lightning talks or the Understand phase:
During this phase, participants identify pain points and challenges they hear.
Prepare materials: Sticky notes or cards (preferably in bright colors).
A spacious and comfortable area to write and organize notes.
Set up the space: Provide surfaces to place and organize notes (e.g., whiteboards, tables, or walls).
Run this with your AI assistant +
Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.
Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: How Might We (HMW). Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: Explain the purpose of the HMW method and the structure of the question:; Start lightning talks or the Understand phase:; During this phase, participants identify pain points and challenges they hear.; Prepare materials: Sticky notes or cards (preferably in bright colors).. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.
Origin unverified
- Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from Participatory Methods; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (1 source observed, including Participatory Methods.)
- What that means: we track where an exercise has been observed in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, or how popular it is.
- No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
- Corrections: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, read our methodology and trust boundary and tell us.