Contextual challenge wording update - How Might We

Why this change?

This change aligns with how designers in the industry tackle problems—by using methods that encourage collaboration, open-ended inquiry, and creative confidence. Specifically, we have incorporated the "How Might We" (HMW) phrase at the start of our problem statements to better support innovative and targeted ideation sessions.

What is "How Might We" (HMW)?

HMW is a proven design thinking method that serves as a bridge between the
Define and Ideate stages of the design process. By reframing challenges as
open-ended questions, the HMW approach unlocks a broader range of potential
solutions. The structure of HMW is intentional:

• "How" implies that solutions are possible, instilling a sense of optimism and creative confidence.
• "Might" highlights the iterative and exploratory nature of the process, acknowledging that not every idea will work but encouraging experimentation without fear of failure.
• "We" emphasises collaboration, inviting teams to co-create solutions and build on each other’s ideas.

Why This Change Matters

By incorporating HMW into our contextual challenges, we have created an environment that mirrors industry best practices, where ambiguity is embraced and reframing challenges leads to innovative breakthroughs. The open-ended nature of HMW questions fosters a mindset that is less about finding the "correct" solution and more about exploring a range of possibilities, which is crucial for effective problem-solving in design.This adjustment reinforces our commitment to equipping designers with the tools and mindset needed in real-world design environments.

Impact on Assessment

This change does not affect the assessment structure or the requirements of the NEA. The expectations for each stage of the NEA remain the same. For further guidance on what is required, please refer to our NEA delivery guide.

NEA Delivery guide

This adjustment simply introduces a more explorative approach for students to consider at the beginning of their investigation.

While we recognise that the use of "we" in HMW encourages a collaborative mindset, it's important to note that the NEA is an individual assessment. As such, only individual responses to the contextual challenges are permitted and teamworking is not allowed as part of the submission.

Implementing the "How Might We" Approach in Contextual Challenges Support Pack for Teachers

We have produced the below pack to help you implement the "How Might We" approach to guide your learners.