The HOW-HOW tool for creative thinking, it is used mainly for problem solving which can help organizational teams to develop creative solutions without the dependency of creatives in the room. So how do you use this tool?
The How-How Diagram works by repeatedly asking the same question of a problem, breaking down the solution into more and more explicit elements. At each stage, there can be multiple answers to the "How" questions, which results in a hierarchical tree-structure.
Making the HOW-HOW tool visible gives several advantages:
👉It allows a group of people to share the mental model of the situation and hence work more harmoniously on it.
👉It allows re-examination of parts of the analysis, so you can change, remove or add to it at any time. This supports the non-linear way in which we tend to think.
👉It allows you to consciously not to follow some paths, digging only into the most likely areas.
How Do You Use It?
1. Define your problem State your problem clearly and write it on an index card. Make sure your problem is defined as a need, otherwise the How-question won’t work. Stick your problem-card to the wall, on the left side.
2. Ask: How can this be done? Simply ask ‘How can this be done?’ and generate answers. Stimulate participants to generate as many solutions as possible. Write each idea on a separate card and stick all cards on the wall directly to the right of your problem.
3. Repeat the How? question Focus on the generated solutions, and ask once more: ‘How can this be done?’ Stimulate participants to generate solutions for each card. Place these ideas in a third row next to the cards (from step 2) they belong to. Draw horizontal arrows to connect successive actions and place different solutions below each other. Put a vertical arrow combined with the text ‘or’ if the solution is an alternative to another idea.
4. Repeat until satisfied Repeat the ‘How?’ question until the ideas are specific enough to carry out and you are satisfied with your results.
5. Select to implement When you are finished, discuss the outcome and decide which ideas you want to execute.