50 Questions to Ask to Solve Problems

Originally published: January 15, 2025
Last updated: January 16, 2025

We used these questions in BIM January 25 - Breakout Problem Solving.

1. What outcome are you hoping to achieve?

2. How would you describe the core issue in your own words?

3. What do you think led to this situation?

4. How have you approached this problem so far?

5. What constraints or limitations are impacting this situation?

6. What factors do you believe are contributing to the problem?

7. What would success look like in this situation?

8. What are the potential long-term impacts of this issue?

9. How does this problem affect different stakeholders?

10. What assumptions are you making about this problem?

11. What resources do you currently have to address the issue?

12. What would happen if you did nothing?

13. What alternatives have you considered?

14. What does your ideal solution look like?

15. What obstacles do you anticipate in solving this?

16. What have you learned from past attempts to solve similar issues?

17. What criteria will you use to evaluate potential solutions?

18. What unintended consequences might arise from solving this problem?

19. Who else might have valuable insights into this issue?

20. What’s the simplest way to move forward?

21. How would you prioritize the elements of this problem?

22. What data or evidence could help clarify the issue?

23. What role do external factors (e.g., timing, politics, trends) play in this problem?

24. What compromises might you need to make to resolve this?

25. What trade-offs are you willing to accept?

26. How does this align with your overall goals or mission?

27. What small steps can you take to start addressing the issue?

28. What’s the worst-case scenario if this problem isn’t solved?

29. How would you explain this problem to someone unfamiliar with the context?

30. What skills or expertise might be helpful in solving this?

31. How might technology or tools play a role in solving the issue?

32. What timelines are realistic for addressing this problem?

33. How does this issue compare to similar challenges you’ve faced before?

34. What impact does this problem have on morale or relationships?

35. What are you afraid of happening if you make the wrong decision?

36. What information is missing that would help clarify the situation?

37. Who stands to benefit or lose from potential solutions?

38. What emotional factors may be influencing the way you view the issue?

39. How would you define success from the perspective of different stakeholders?

40. How could you reframe the problem to see it differently?

41. What’s the underlying need driving this problem?

42. What would an outside expert recommend?

43. What strategies have worked in other contexts or industries?

44. How do you want to feel once this problem is resolved?

45. What potential risks do you need to account for?

46. How could collaboration improve the outcome?

47. What are the potential ripple effects of solving this issue?

48. What would you do if resources weren’t a concern?

49. How can you test a potential solution on a small scale?

50. What new opportunities might solving this problem create?

Notes mentioning this note

BIM January 25 - Breakout Problem Solving

Tomorrow is the big day. [[Big Impact Mixer]] happens and it’s so much fun. If you haven’t been to one...