The 20-Minute Design Thinking Tool to Turn Challenges into Breakthroughs
A free, self-guided sprint to reframe challenges and spark innovative solutions. Use it solo or with your team.
Why Most Teams Fail at Innovation
Most teams get stuck during part of the Design Thinking phase not because they lack talent, but because they are solving the wrong problem. When you ask, “How do we fix this?” you are trapped in a reactive mindset. You assume something is broken and look for a patch. But when you master the art of Problem Reframing, you shift from “fixing” to “creating.”
The Power of the “How Might We” (HMW) Framework
Reframing is the difference between a mediocre fix and a market-leading innovation. Compare these two approaches:
- The Narrow View: “How do we fix solo dining at hawker centres?” (Assumes a problem; yields one-dimensional solutions.)
- The Reframed View: “How might we enable solo diners to feel welcome without compromising the community atmosphere?” (Invites possibilities; balances complex human needs.)
Same challenge. Entirely different results.
Why HMW Questions Actually Work
The “How Might We” formula is the gold standard of Design Thinking for three reasons:
- “How” (The Optimist): Suggests that a solution is absolutely possible.
- “Might” (The Explorer): Gives your team permission to fail and explore ideas that aren’t “perfect” yet.
- “We” (The Collaborator): Ensures the solution is a collective effort, not a siloed task.
Note: HMW questions aren’t designed to find the answer immediately—they are designed to open the right solution spaces.
What’s Included in Your Free 2-Page Toolkit?
This isn’t just a worksheet; it’s a self-guided innovation sprint that you can use solo or with your team.
- 7 Action Verb Lenses: Use Amplify, Combine, Invert, Eliminate, Shift, Re-imagine, and Empower to see your problem from 360 degrees.
- The 20-Minute Sprint Workflow: A step-by-step guide to move from “Stuck” to “Breakthrough” in less than half an hour.
- Proven HMW Formulas: Easy-to-use templates to ensure your questions are high-impact.
- Calibration Guide: Practical tips to find “Just Right” questions—not too broad, not too narrow.
Who is this for?
- Innovation Leaders reframing complex business challenges.
- Facilitators looking for a high-energy workshop asset.
- Designers & Product Managers stuck in a creative rut.
- Entrepreneurs who need to pivot their strategy effectively.
The 20-Minute Breakthrough Process
- Define (2 min): State your current problem clearly.
- Ideate (5 min): Rapid-fire HMW questions using our 7 Verb Lenses.
- Cluster (5 min): Group similar ideas to find hidden themes.
- Calibrate (3 min): Refine your best question for maximum clarity.
- Vote (3 min): Pick your winning breakthrough question.
Total Time: 20 Minutes to total clarity.