To generate a large number of questions about a problem or topic before attempting to find solutions.
- Methodologies: Engineering, Product Design, Project Management
Question Storming

Question Storming
- Agile Methodology, Brainstorming, Continuous Improvement, Creativity, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Design Thinking, Ideation, Innovation, Problem Solving Techniques
Objective:
How it’s used:
- Participants focus solely on asking questions related to the challenge. The goal is to explore the problem space deeply and uncover hidden assumptions or new angles.
Pros
- Helps to better define and understand the problem before jumping to solutions; encourages curiosity and critical thinking; can reveal overlooked aspects.
Cons
- May feel counterintuitive to solution-oriented individuals; requires discipline to stick to asking questions only; the value depends on the quality and relevance of the questions generated.
Categories:
- Ideation, Problem Solving
Best for:
- Deeply exploring a problem or challenge by generating a multitude of questions before seeking answers.
Question Storming encourages a collaborative atmosphere where participants, including designers, engineers, and stakeholders, engage in an iterative process to dig into the intricacies of a challenge. It is particularly effective during the initial phases of product development, such as during the ideation or conceptualization stage, where understanding user needs and market dynamics is paramount. This approach can be found across various sectors like technology, healthcare, and consumer goods, allowing teams to dissect problems such as user experience hurdles or functionality issues within existing products. The participants often include cross-functional team members ranging from product managers and developers to marketing specialists, each contributing their unique viewpoints through the lens of inquiry. By generating a broad spectrum of questions, teams can highlight unseen assumptions, which may lead to breakthrough ideas. This method also enhances team engagement and ownership of the problem, as it shifts the focus from finding immediate solutions to thoroughly understanding the nuances of the challenge at hand. Further applications can be seen in academic settings where research teams utilize questioning as a tool for hypothesis generation, contributing to the advancement of scientific inquiry. Engaging in Question Storming can lead to the identification of novel market opportunities or innovative features that meet the evolving needs of consumers, redefining the parameters of product success.
Key steps of this methodology
- Identify the core challenge or problem that needs exploration.
- Set a time limit for the question generation session.
- Encourage participants to generate as many questions as possible, focusing on "what," "why," "how," etc.
- Capture all questions without filtering or evaluating them during the session.
- Organize questions into themes or categories post-session for deeper analysis.
- Identify gaps in knowledge or understanding based on the generated questions.
- Prioritize questions that seem to open up new avenues for exploration.
- Plan follow-up sessions or workshops to explore prioritized questions further.
Pro Tips
- Encourage participants to explore "why" questions to uncover root causes and assumptions.
- Set strict time limits for each question to promote rapid idea generation and reduce fixation on any single thought.
- Utilize a mix of open-ended and closed questions to ensure a broad spectrum of ideas while also drilling down on specifics.
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