Blueprint Lesson Plan Blueprint for Innovation
Lesson Plan: From Needs to POV
30 Minutes
Audience
9th Grade
Approach
Direct & Guided
Prep Time
15 Minutes
Why It Matters
This lesson teaches students to translate raw interview data into clear, user-centered problem statements. This skill is foundational for design thinking, innovation, and effective problem-solving in any field, helping them define challenges in a way that sparks creative solutions.
Teacher Preparation
• Review all generated materials: Slides, Do Now, Templates, and Exit Ticket.
• Ensure projector and computer are set up for the slide deck.
• Print copies of the POV and HMW Template for each student.
• Arrange students into pairs or small groups for the peer tuning activity.
Objective
Students will craft one Point-of-View (POV) statement and a matching How Might We (HMW) question based on interview data, moving from observations to actionable problem definitions.
Lesson Timeline
5 min
Warm Up: Do Now Insight Recap
• Distribute the Insight Recap worksheet.
• Students review interview notes and highlight 2-3 key insights or observations.
• Share out: A few students share one insight. Use Slide 1 to introduce.
10 min
Teach: POV Statements and HMW Prompts
• Use Slides 2-5 to explain POV structure: [User] needs [Need] because [Insight].
• Explain how HMW questions stem from POV to invite creative solutions.
• Discuss examples of effective vs. ineffective statements.
8 min
Draft: Complete POV and HMW Template
• Distribute POV and HMW Template .
• Independent Work: Students draft one POV and one matching HMW question.
• Circulate and offer guidance, emphasizing user-centered language.
5 min
Peer Tune: Swap and Refine
• Students pair up for the POV Swap and Tuning activity (Slide 6).
• Feedback focused on clarity, actionability, and alignment with insights.
• Brief class share-out of refinements or challenges.
2 min
Cool Down: Exit Ticket
• Distribute Exit Ticket .
• Students record their refined HMW question for assessment.
Innovation Blueprint Slides Blueprint for Innovation
From Needs to POV: Defining the Challenge
Warm-Up: Insight Recap!
Review your interview notes. Highlight 2-3 key insights or interesting observations about your user.
Slide 01
What is a POV Statement?
Clearly defines the challenge we're trying to solve.
Frames the problem from the user's perspective .
A tool to guide brainstorming for solutions.
"A problem well-stated is a problem half-solved."
Slide 02
03 Crafting Your POV Statement
The Formula
[User] needs [Need] because [Insight].
Example
A middle school student needs a way to manage homework because they feel overwhelmed and often forget deadlines.
Slide 03
From POV to HMW
How Might We (HMW) questions are open-ended questions that invite creative solutions.
Problem → Opportunity
Invite Solutions
Broad enough for many answers.
Focus Action
Specific enough to be useful.
Slide 04
Generating Your HMW Question
POV Recap
"A middle school student needs a way to manage their homework because they feel overwhelmed by many assignments and often forget deadlines."
The HMW Question
"How might we help middle school students feel less overwhelmed by homework and remember their deadlines?"
Slide 05
Peer Tuning: Refine Your Statements!
1
Swap: Exchange templates with a partner.
2
Review: Carefully read your partner's work.
3
Feedback: Use the Peer Feedback guide.
Focus on clarity , completeness , and user needs .
Slide 06
Insight Recap Warmup Insight Recap
Phase 2: Define the Challenge
Do Now Activity
Name:
Date:
Instructions
Take a moment to look back at your interview notes from our last session. Read through them and identify 2-3 key insights or interesting observations you made about the person you interviewed.
Insight 01
What was surprising or meaningful about what your user said or did?
Insight 02
What specific need or tension did you notice during the interview?
Insight 03 (Optional)
Be ready to share one of your insights with the class!
POV and HMW Template Worksheet POV & HMW Template
Defining the Problem Space
Student
Date
1
Craft Your POV Statement
The Formula
[User] needs [Need] because [Insight].
Based on your interview insights, complete the following statement. Focus on the core need and the underlying "why" (the insight).
A
needs
because
.
2
Generate Your HMW Question
Turn your POV statement into an actionable question. This question should open up possibilities for many different solutions!
Actionable Question
How might we
?
POV Swap and Tuning Worksheet POV Swap & Tuning
Peer Feedback & Refinement Guide
Activity
Peer Review
Instructions
Swap your POV & HMW Template with a partner. Read their work carefully. Provide honest, constructive feedback to help them build a stronger foundation for their project.
Reviewer Name
1. Reviewing the POV Statement
Clarity & Specificity
Is the user clear? Is the need specific? Is the insight believable?
Completeness
Does it follow the formula: [User] needs [Need] because [Insight]?
Major Tuning
Suggestion for Improvement
What is one specific change that would make this POV stronger?
2. Reviewing the HMW Question
Connection to POV
Does the question directly address the core need and insight identified above?
Open-Endedness
Does it invite many solutions, or is it too narrow/leading?
Major Tuning
Suggestion for Improvement
How can this question be made more inspiring or actionable?
POV Swap & Tuning
Partner B Assessment
Reviewer Name
1. Reviewing the POV Statement
Clarity & Specificity
Completeness
Major Tuning
Suggestion for Improvement
2. Reviewing the HMW Question
Connection to POV
Open-Endedness
Major Tuning
Suggestion for Improvement Final HMW Exit Ticket Exit Ticket
Final How Might We Question
Based on the feedback you received and your own reflections, write down your refined How Might We (HMW) question below. This is the challenge you will be moving forward with in the next phase!
Your Design Challenge
How might we
?
Student Name:
