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Future Questions

Purpose​

Expand possibilities and challenge conventional boundaries by temporarily suspending constraints and exploring the "impossible."

The Catalytic Question​

"What would it mean to be the best FOR the world, not just IN the world?"

Core Questions​

  1. Constraint Removal: What becomes possible if we remove constraint X?
  2. 10x Thinking: What would a 10x improvement look like?
  3. Unlimited Resources: How would we approach this with unlimited resources?
  4. Future State: What will be true in 5 years that isn't true today?
  5. Paradigm Shift: What would change everything about this problem?

Application Process​

1. List Current Constraints
   - Technical limitations
   - Resource constraints
   - Policy/regulatory constraints
   - Mental model constraints

2. Suspend Each Constraint
   - Temporarily assume constraint doesn't exist
   - Explore resulting possibility space
   - Don't judge feasibility yet

3. Identify "Impossible" Possibilities
   - What becomes possible?
   - What new questions emerge?
   - What adjacent opportunities unlock?

4. Reality Check
   - Which "impossible" things are actually possible?
   - What would it take to make them real?
   - What's the smallest step toward possibility?

5. Design Path
   - From current state to desired state
   - Incremental milestones
   - Resource requirements

Validation Checklist​

  • All constraints listed explicitly
  • Each constraint suspended and explored
  • Possibility space documented
  • "Impossible" possibilities identified
  • Feasibility assessed for top possibilities
  • Path designed from current to desired state

Example: HP Labs Reframe​

Original Question: "How do we make HP Labs the best IN the world?"
Constraint: Competing with other labs (zero-sum mindset)

Suspended: "What if success isn't about being better than others?"

Reframe: "What would it mean for HP Labs to be the best FOR the world?"

Impact:
  - Transformed employee engagement
  - Shifted strategic direction
  - Changed how success was measured
  - Created collaborative vs competitive culture

When to Use This Lens​

Use Future Questions when you:

  • Feel constrained by "how things are done"
  • Need breakthrough thinking, not incremental improvement
  • Want to inspire vision beyond current limitations
  • Are planning strategy for 3-5 year horizons
  • Need to challenge a team's mental models

See Also​