AVOID PREMATURE SOLUTIONS: HOW TO RESPOND WHEN STAKEHOLDERS ASK FOR CERTAIN DESIGNS

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Stakeholders often suggest specific design solutions, creating anchoring problems that limit design exploration and can lead to suboptimal outcomes. The 5 Whys technique helps uncover underlying business needs, while "How Might We" statements reframe solution-focused requests into neutral problem statements. Addressing these anchoring issues immediately in meetings prevents weeks of frustration and opens up better design possibilities.