Beyond Problems: Framing Challenges to Unlock Solutions

We've journeyed through deep listening, individual storytelling, and the collective sense-making of clustered insights. Now, with a rich tapestry of understanding at our fingertips, the crucial next step is to frame our challenges in a way that ignites creativity and focuses on potential solutions. This isn't just about identifying problems; it's about transforming them into opportunities.

The Power of "How Might We": A Solution-Oriented Lens

In Week 9, we introduced a powerful tool to help our five groups evolve and refine their thinking: the "How Might We" (HMW) statement template. Drawing inspiration from the human-centred design resources pack, this template provides a structured yet flexible approach to turning complex insights into actionable questions. This phase marks a pivotal transition, signaling our shift from defining issues to envisioning solutions – the transition into the second "diamond" of the Double Diamond design process.
The "How Might We" framework is deceptively simple but incredibly effective. It forces us to reframe a problem as a challenge that can be tackled. For instance, instead of stating, "People in the area have poor mental well-being," an HMW statement might become: "How might we improve people's mental well-being in the area?" This subtle shift in language immediately opens the door to possibilities and enables agency amongst the participants. A crucial aim of this design process was to enable residents to be the solutions they wanted to see.

Honing the Statement: Context, Constraints, and Creativity

Our template guided each group through a process of refining their HMW statements, encouraging deeper thought and greater precision. Beyond the core "How Might We" question, the template prompted groups to consider:

• The Hope for Achievement: What is the desired outcome? What specific change do we hope to see? This adds focus to the broader HMW question.
• Important Context and Constraints: What are the key factors we need to consider? What might get in the way of a solution? This encourages realistic thinking, prompting groups to factor in potential issues and necessary resources. This part of the exercise helps to deepen understanding and insight around the challenge itself.
• Initial Solution Brainstorming: Each group was then encouraged to think broadly and generate a few initial, imaginative potential solutions (perhaps five). This early ideation helps to further clarify the scope of the challenge and ensure the HMW statement is truly solution-oriented.

Iteration and Refinement: Evolving Our Focus

Crucially, this wasn't a one-and-done exercise. The process of exploring potential solutions often led groups back to tweak and refine their HMW statements. After all the collective thinking and learning, did the original statement still perfectly capture the essence of the challenge and opportunity? Was it too broad? Too narrow? This iterative approach allowed groups to evolve and hone their statements, sometimes even resulting in more than one refined statement.
This rigorous yet collaborative process gives us the necessary definition to confidently step into the next phase: creating tangible solutions. By intentionally framing our challenges as "How Might We" questions, supported by context and initial ideas, we empower our groups to focus their energy, spark their creativity, and ultimately, drive collective action on the issues that truly matter.