Actionable Questioning: Your Roadmap to Problem-Solving Mastery

by Nicos Paschali

Transform Challenges into Opportunities with Strategic Inquiry

Employ the 6W framework—What, Why, How, Where, Who, and When—to dissect and solve problems through targeted questioning systematically.

Harness the power of precise questioning to revolutionise your approach to challenges.

• Define your WHAT

  – Specify your exact goals and desired outcomes

  – Gather all relevant facts and data

  – Analyse potential consequences of inaction

  – Identify necessary resources for solution-finding

• Uncover your WHY

  – Examine underlying motivations for seeking a solution

  – Investigate the root causes of the problem or opportunity

  – Apply the “5 Whys” technique to dig deeper

  – Establish the urgency and necessity for resolution

• Plan your HOW

  – Envision the post-solution scenario and its impacts

  – Evaluate the relevance and sufficiency of gathered information

  – Identify methods to acquire additional insights

  – Determine strategies to involve key stakeholders

• Contextualize the WHERE

  – Pinpoint the problem’s origin and affected areas

  – Assess the importance of location in the overall situation

  – Analyze geographical or situational factors influencing potential solutions

• Identify your WHO

  – List all stakeholders affected by or interested in the situation

  – Determine key individuals for information, assistance, and action

  – Create a communication plan for keeping relevant parties informed

• Establish your WHEN

  – Trace the problem’s history and point of emergence

  – Set clear deadlines for action steps and final resolution

  – Prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance

Call to Action: Apply this 6W framework to your next challenge and witness a transformation in your problem-solving effectiveness and decision-making clarity.