Dan Seewald
Great ideas stem from great questions when problem solving. But we often skip the hard work of producing great questions and jump right to the fun part of producing ideas. We impatiently grasp at whatever question feels good enough, even if it’s the wrong question or challenge to solve for. “To ask the right question is already half the solution of a problem.” Asking the right question is, therefore, no trivial matter.
So how do you ask the right question? It’s a volume and judgment game. Start by asking many people to generate numerous questions about your various important challenges. Sounds easy, right? But the friction lies in our discomfort as adults in asking questions. Most people are uncomfortable asking questions. We’re wired to avoid asking questions as we grow older, and we are conditioned to supply answers. After more than a decade of working in the creative problem-solving space, I’ve found that question formulation, as a discipline, is one of the least practiced skills that I see amongst corporate leaders.
Here’s the good news: There’s a powerful method that can help you cultivate this skill and hone your question formulating ability. It’s called questionstorming. And even more promising, the use of generative AI can act as a thought partner when you find yourself working alone or your team simply needs help generating questions from an alternate perspective.
In this article, I’ll explore how you can use generative AI to supercharge your questionstorming sessions. And you’ll walk away with the basics of questionstorming, best practices on how AI fits into the picture, and some tips and tricks to make the most out of this combination of tools.
Understanding Questionstorming
Before we dive into the AI magic, let’s take a moment to understand what questionstorming is all about. In a nutshell, questionstorming is a brainstorming technique where the focus is on generating questions rather than answers. Why? Because asking the right questions can open new avenues of thought and lead to more innovative solutions.
Traditionally, questionstorming involves gathering a group of people and using a systematic process to encourage them to ask as many questions as possible about a particular problem. The idea is to challenge assumptions, explore different perspectives, and dig deeper into the issue at hand. It’s a bit like peeling an onion—each question helps you get closer to the core of the problem and eventually land the right question to begin solving.
Effective questionstorming can transform the way you approach problems. It helps you:
- Uncover Hidden Insights: Asking diverse questions can reveal aspects of the problem you might not have considered.
- Break Down Complex Problems: By dissecting a problem into smaller, manageable parts, you can tackle it more effectively.
- Stimulate Creativity: The more questions you ask, the more creative your thinking becomes.
The Role of Generative AI in Questionstorming
Now, let’s sprinkle some AI magic into the mix. Generative AI is like having a brainstorming buddy who’s always ready with new ideas and questions. But what exactly is generative AI?
Generative AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can create new content—be it text, images, or even music. These systems use advanced algorithms and vast amounts of data to generate outputs that can mimic human creativity.
When it comes to questionstorming, generative AI can:
- Generate a High Volume of Questions: AI can quickly produce a wide range of questions, saving you time and effort.
- Introduce Diverse Perspectives: AI can offer questions from angles you might not have considered, enriching your brainstorming session.
- Enhance Creativity: By providing unexpected questions, AI can spark new ideas and help you think outside the box.
Setting Up for AI-Powered Questionstorming
Alright, let’s get you set up for an AI-powered questionstorming session. It’s easier than you might think. And it starts with gathering your team and briefing them on the session’s objectives. Make sure everyone understands the basics of questionstorming and how AI will be used. Equip your team with the necessary Questionstorming templates, access to a physical or digital collaborative space and any other accoutrement that you need.
Next, integrate the AI tool into your session. Start by defining the problem you want to tackle and input relevant data into the AI. This could be a brief description of the problem, key facts, or any other information that might help the AI generate relevant questions.
Choosing the right AI tool is crucial. Consider factors like ease of use, the quality of the questions generated, and how well the tool integrates with your existing workflows. Experiment with a few tools to find the one that best suits your needs. For reference, our team uses ChatGPT 4.0, powered by OpenAI.
Step-by-Step Process of AI-Powered Questionstorming
Now that you’re all set up, let’s walk through the step-by-step process of using AI to enhance your questionstorming sessions.
Initiating the Session
The first step is to get everyone on the same page. Start by defining the problem clearly and setting specific objectives for the session. Make sure everyone understands the problem you’re trying to solve. Provide context, background information, and any relevant data. This helps the AI (and your team) generate more targeted and useful questions. Next, outline what you hope to achieve with the questionstorming session. Are you looking to identify new opportunities? Solve a specific issue? Get clarity on a complex situation? Clear objectives will guide the session and keep everyone focused.
Using Generative AI for Brainstorming Questions
Now, let’s put that AI to work! Generative AI can be a game-changer in this phase. You can start by inviting your human team to start generating questions. Once they’ve exhausted their first round of questions, it’s time to feed the beast. Feed the AI with the problem definition, objectives, and any other relevant information. The more context you provide, the better the AI can tailor its questions to your needs. Let the AI do its thing and generate a list of questions. You can prompt it with specific aspects of the problem or let it explore freely. Don’t be afraid to experiment—sometimes the best ideas come from unexpected places.
Refining and Selecting Questions
Once you have a bunch of AI-generated questions, it’s time to refine and select the most promising ones. Review the questions generated by the AI. Look for questions that challenge assumptions, explore new angles, or push the boundaries of conventional thinking. Don’t just pick the obvious ones—dig deeper! Prioritize the questions based on their potential impact and relevance to the problem. Organize them into categories or themes to make it easier to navigate and address them during the problem-solving process.
Top Tips for Effective AI-Powered Questionstorming
To get the most out of your AI-powered questionstorming sessions, keep these best practices in mind:
- Encouraging Creativity and Open-Mindedness: Create a safe and open environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. Encourage wild, out-of-the-box questions—sometimes the craziest ideas lead to the most innovative solutions.
- Ensuring Diverse Inputs and Perspectives: Diversity is key to effective questionstorming. Make sure your team includes people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. This diversity will enrich the questions generated and lead to more comprehensive solutions.
- Balancing AI Input with Human Intuition: While AI is a powerful tool, don’t rely on it entirely. Balance the AI-generated questions with human intuition and insights. Use the AI as a springboard for further exploration, but let your team’s creativity and expertise guide the process.
- Managing AI Limitations: AI is powerful, but it’s not perfect. It may generate irrelevant or nonsensical questions at times. Use your judgment to filter out the noise and focus on the valuable insights.
- Ensuring Data Privacy and Security: When using AI tools, ensure that your data is secure and privacy is maintained. Choose reputable AI providers and understand their data policies. Protect sensitive information by anonymizing data where possible.
In short, Generative AI is a powerful ally in your quest to ask better questions and find innovative solutions. By incorporating AI into your questionstorming sessions, you can unlock new perspectives, enhance creativity, and tackle problems with newfound vigor. As AI continues to advance, we can expect more seamless integration with human creativity. Future developments may include AI that can not only generate questions but also suggest solutions, predict outcomes, and provide deeper insights.
So, go ahead—experiment with generative AI, embrace its potential, and watch your questionstorming sessions transform into idea-generating powerhouses.
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