Defining the Challenge: Identifying What Needs to Be Solved
Introduction
Every great innovation begins with asking the right question. The first step in the Innovation Funnel is all about defining the problem you’re solving. By crafting a strong problem statement and using the “How Might We” (HMW) model, you can focus on the root cause of the issue and uncover opportunities for creative solutions.
What is Problem Identification?
Problem identification is the foundation of the Innovation Funnel. It’s the process of uncovering and clearly defining the challenge you’re facing. A good problem statement gives your team a shared focus and ensures everyone is working toward solving the same issue.
To guide this process, we use the “How Might We” (HMW) model. This framework transforms vague problems into actionable, opportunity-driven questions. The HMW model has four parts:
- How Might We – Opens the question optimistically.
- Example: How might we…?
- Help Who – Focuses on the group you’re helping.
- Example: …help students at our university…
- Do What – Identifies what you aim to do.
- Example: …create a recreation experience that supports health and wellness…
- Achieve Which Goals – Defines the desired outcomes.
- Example: …to improve academic performance and community engagement.
By combining these four parts, you get a focused question that sparks ideas:
“How might we help students at our university create a recreation experience that supports health and wellness to improve academic performance and community engagement?”
Why is Problem Identification Important?
Starting with a clear, user-focused problem ensures you’re solving the right issue. Without this step, your solutions may only address symptoms rather than the root cause. The HMW model helps you think critically, align your team, and approach challenges with an open mind.
Example
Let’s say your university recreation center has seen a drop in attendance. Initially, the problem might appear to be low visibility. However, after conducting interviews and surveys, you learn students feel the programs lack modern spaces and up-to-date technology.
Using the HMW model, you could frame the challenge as:
“How might we help students at our university create flexible, tech-enabled recreation spaces to improve collaboration and attendance?”
This question highlights the real issue and provides a clear focus for brainstorming.
How Problems Connects to Learn
A well-defined problem sets the stage for the Learn phase by clarifying what information you need to gather. In the Learn stage, you’ll dive deeper into understanding the people affected by the problem, their needs, and the environment in which the challenge exists. The problem statement serves as a compass, guiding your research and ensuring you stay focused on uncovering insights that matter most.
For example, if your problem is about tech-enabled recreation spaces, the Learn phase might involve interviewing students, observing how current spaces are used, and researching what technologies would best meet their needs. Without a clear problem statement, this research could easily go off track or become unfocused.
FAQs
Q1: How do I know if my problem statement is strong enough?
A: Test it! Share it with others and ask if it’s clear, user-focused, and actionable. A good problem statement sparks ideas and aligns your team.
Q2: What if I get stuck crafting my HMW question?
A: Start with “How might we?” and then brainstorm answers for the “Help Who,” “Do What,” and “Achieve Which Goals” parts. Keep iterating until it feels right.
Q3: Can I have multiple HMW questions for one problem?
A: Absolutely! Exploring multiple angles can help you uncover new insights and opportunities.
Learn More
Discover more about the “How Might We” model and the Innovation Funnel process on my website: