Method
A framing workshop that aligns on root problem, affected users, and constraints, then converts insights into How Might We prompts.
Artifact preview
Problem statement
Validate · Moderate
Decide fit before you spend session time.
The core facilitation flow, with enough structure to run the method confidently in the room.
Standard variant for Mixed in remote delivery. Waypoint is adapting timing, facilitation emphasis, prep, and recovery guidance here, but the room still needs final tailoring to the exact stakes and participants.
Total planned time: 120 min
What happens
List observed pains, metrics shifts, and customer complaints.
Facilitator does
Keep the standard cadence and protect the decision point at the end of the step. Balance sponsor framing with practical delivery detail so the room stays aligned. Use a visible shared board, explicit turn-taking, and shorter bursts before reconvening. Translate between sponsor goals and delivery reality as you move. Pause after each move to confirm people can see the current board state before continuing.
Participants do
Work from the prompt, keep contributions concrete, and let the shared artifact carry the discussion.
Output / signal of success
Problem statement
Watch for
Writing solution-leading HMW statements.
Recovery tip
Writing solution-leading HMW statements.
What happens
Cluster symptoms and draft one problem statement with scope.
Facilitator does
Keep the framing tight enough that later steps stay coherent. Resolve vague nouns, mixed audiences, and hidden assumptions before progressing.
Participants do
Align on the challenge before anyone starts solving.
Output / signal of success
The group is aligned on the exact challenge, actor, or scope the rest of the method will serve.
Watch for
Writing solution-leading HMW statements.
Recovery tip
If the framing is fuzzy, stop and resolve the actor, decision, or scope before proceeding.
What happens
Rewrite the statement into multiple How Might We questions.
Facilitator does
Keep the standard cadence and protect the decision point at the end of the step. Balance sponsor framing with practical delivery detail so the room stays aligned. Use a visible shared board, explicit turn-taking, and shorter bursts before reconvening. Translate between sponsor goals and delivery reality as you move. Pause after each move to confirm people can see the current board state before continuing.
Participants do
Align on the challenge before anyone starts solving.
Output / signal of success
Assumptions to validate
Watch for
Writing solution-leading HMW statements.
Recovery tip
Writing solution-leading HMW statements.
What happens
Vote on prompts that are meaningful and actionable.
Facilitator does
Force explicit trade-offs. Ask what should change next because of the shortlist and what does not make the cut right now.
Participants do
Make choices against the prompt rather than debating every option.
Output / signal of success
The room has a clear shortlist and can explain why those choices matter more than the alternatives.
Watch for
Writing solution-leading HMW statements.
Recovery tip
If everything feels equally important, force a top choice by asking what would most change the next decision or action.
Tune the method to the room without changing the core synthesis move.
Standard variant for Mixed in remote delivery. Waypoint is adapting timing, facilitation emphasis, prep, and recovery guidance here, but the room still needs final tailoring to the exact stakes and participants.
Prepare the room, the evidence, and the working surface so the session can stay focused on synthesis.
Standard variant for Mixed in remote delivery. Waypoint is adapting timing, facilitation emphasis, prep, and recovery guidance here, but the room still needs final tailoring to the exact stakes and participants.
Current challenge statement
Optional
Known evidence
Optional
Operational context note
Optional
Bring examples, pain points, or service evidence the room can point to quickly.
How Might We board
Optional
Remote facilitation choreography
Required
Pre-plan handoffs, breakout usage, and how people rejoin the main board.
How Might We board
Required
Shared digital board with timer and voting
Required
Keep instructions and voting visible at all times.
Problem framing board
Use this to judge whether the session produced something clear enough to act on tomorrow.
Read these like live facilitation coaching, not a reference table.
Standard variant for Mixed in remote delivery. Waypoint is adapting timing, facilitation emphasis, prep, and recovery guidance here, but the room still needs final tailoring to the exact stakes and participants.
Failure mode
Why it happens
Common facilitation blind spot.
Recover now
If this happens, pause, restate objective, and re-anchor the group.
Prevent next time
Next time, use evidence language, not opinions.
Failure mode
Why it happens
Common facilitation blind spot.
Recover now
If this happens, pause, restate objective, and re-anchor the group.
Prevent next time
Next time, keep HMW prompts broad enough for options but narrow enough for action.
Failure mode
Why it happens
Facilitation cues and visual state changes are not made explicit enough online.
Recover now
If this happens, pause, restate the current decision point, and narrate exactly what changed on the shared board before moving on.
Prevent next time
Next time, assign one visible working board, one timer, and one facilitator voice for transitions.
Use this only after you understand the flow and have checked the method fits the room.
Open the facilitator pack when you need a one-session version you can run now. Move into Workspace when this method needs broader coordination, decision tracking, or follow-through.
Sources and references used in this recipe.
IDEO.org, Human-Centered Design methods.
Validation and usability testing fundamentals.
Reviewed 2026-02-27 by Discovery Waypoint Editorial Team